Sarah Ann "Sally" O'Connell

Sarah Ann "Sally" O'Connell, 96, of Caldwell, NJ, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025, surrounded by loving family after a brief illness.
Relatives and friends are invited for visitation on Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068, farmerfh.com. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Aloysius Church, Caldwell, with entombment to follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Montclair, NJ.
Sally was the youngest of five strong Irish lassies born in Montclair on April 23, 1929, to Daniel and Sarah (Shields) O'Connell.
Raised in Montclair, Sally attended Immaculate Conception Grammar and High School, and after graduating from Caldwell College, Sally went on to earn her nursing degree from Felician College. Sally began her professional life as an Executive Assistant to Mr. Thomas Lamont, Chairman of the Board at J.P. Morgan & Co. in New York City, a position she held with great pride for twenty years. Later, she found fulfillment as a private duty nurse, extending her care and compassion to many families and patients throughout her career. Sally lived in New York City and East Hartford, CT, later making her home in Caldwell, where she remained a devoted and active member of her community.
A woman of faith, Sally was a longtime parishioner of St. Aloysius Church and a devoted member of the Rosary Society and the St. Aloysius Senior Club. In her earlier years, she was also active in the Red Hat Ladies Society. She volunteered with many organizations affiliated with the Catholic Church including spending some time doing Missionary Work in Panama City.
Sally was proud of her Irish heritage and cherished her opportunity to travel to Ireland, as well as to many destinations in the United States and Europe, with Italy being one of her favorite travel destinations. She loved her community and the simple pleasures of daily life, often spending warm summer days by the Caldwell town pool, where she delighted in a cool dip, conversation, laughter, and the familiar faces of neighbors and friends. She was an avid walker, swimmer, hiker, and skier throughout her life. She especially enjoyed dining out at restaurants, with her all-time favorite being Stephanie's in Caldwell where she was treated like royalty by the staff, particularly her Birthday Buddy, Michelle.
Sally was a collector of many things, treasures that reflected her curiosity and appreciation for life's small joys. Her adventurous nature and steadfast will defined her spirit; she approached life with determination and an unwavering sense of purpose always striving to do God's will in every aspect of her life.
She was known for her zest for life and her love of gatherings with family and friends. She was, without fail, the last to leave a party. And so, while her earthly celebration has ended, her heavenly one has only just begun.
Sally was predeceased by her beloved sisters: Kay Reilly, Virginia Krause-Pierce, Irene Rivers and Jean Blewitt and their spouses Frank Reilly, Fred Krause, Del Pierce, Frank Rivers, and Gene Blewitt.
Our "Gal Sal" was the beloved aunt of many nieces and nephews: Kathy George, the late Frank B. Reilly Jr., Dan Reilly, Eileen Morton, Bob Reilly, the late Richard Reilly, Marian Cardace, Carol Calabrese, Ginny Balog, Jane Peters, Patty Hopcian, Bud Krause, Kathy Portaro, the late Marianne Rivers, the late Jeff Rivers, Mark Rivers, Judi Rivers-Nelson, MaryAnn DiGiaimo, the late Chris D'Apolito, the late Kevin Blewitt, Ginnie Guinness, Ellen Vigilante, Dan Blewitt, Laura Smelski, the late Mike Blewitt, Maureen Mullin, Joe Blewitt, and Katie Buononato. She was also loved by her nieces and nephews' spouses. including those who predeceased her – Linda Reilly, Kathy Reilly, Andy George, Mike Peters, Sr. and Patricia Blewitt; great-nieces, great-nephews and their spouses, including those who left this world too soon – Brendan Reilly, Andrea Morelli, Brian Reilly and Mike Peters, Jr, and many other special relatives and dear friends who were like family to her, especially her Marian Manor family where she lived so happily for over 20 years. A very special thank you to Dave Saddow and Dawn LaManna for their friendship, care and special attention shown to Sally over the years. The family is forever grateful for your kindness.
To all those who knew Sally, her life was, in every sense, well-lived. She was well loved and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sally's memory may be made to St. John's Soup Kitchen, https://www.njsk.org/.