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Ann O'Donnell Obituary

O'DONNELL Anne Marie O'Donnell, age 70, of Fairfield, died on January 6, 2012, at St. Vincent's Medical Center. A daughter of Bridgeport, she was born there on June 10, 1941, to the late Charles and the late Madeleine (Hanley) O'Donnell, moving with her family to Manhasset, New York, during her teen years. She completed her college degree, obtained her teaching credential and began her 40-year career as an elementary school teacher in New York State. After a number of years, Anne returned to the Bridgeport/Fairfield area to teach kindergarten at William Samuel Johnson Elementary School, now functioning as Park City Magnet School, North Campus. She retired in 2009 after 40 years of whole-hearted dedication to the education of young children. Anne was descended from a Bridgeport family which has provided educators for Bridgeport children for nearly 100 years. Her father was prominent in the banking industry, but her Bridgeport-born mother was an elementary school teacher. Anne was the beloved granddaughter of the late John and the late Mary (Giblin) Hanley of Bridgeport. She was pre-deceased by her great-aunt Ella Hanley and her aunt Dorothy E. Hanley, both of whom were elementary school teachers in the Bridgeport public schools, Dorothy having served as the principal at Prospect School and Waltersville School. She is survived by her admiring brother, John, and sister-in-law, Martha (Morris) O'Donnell, of Los Angeles, CA, her beloved niece Karen O'Donnell Stein of Portland, OR, and beloved nephew Nicholas O'Donnell of (the original) Vancouver, WA, delightful grandniece Madeleine Stein, 13, and three grandnephews: the ever-inquisitive Nathan Stein, 8, playful Cale O'Donnell, 5, and toddling Ellis O'Donnell, 2, as well as scores of worshipful former students, their thankful parents and respectful fellow teachers. Finally, she is survived by her devoted Boxer companion, two-year-old Couvo, who, having this week been adopted by Nicholas and Karen, has just completed a cross-country trip in the belly of a plane, arriving somewhat bewildered at the Washington State residence of Ellis, a fellow two-year-old, and Cale, and is soon to meet Nathan and Madeleine, all of whom welcome him with gratitude. Anne's cherished pet will continue in his new home to enrich with her love the lives of the current children of our family, as she did the lives of Nicholas and Karen, her brother's children. We will all miss Anne greatly. Visitation for family and friends will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012, at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow immediately at St. Michael's Cemetery, 2205 Stratford Ave. in Stratford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Anne's memory may be made to St. Steven's Pantry, c/o Debbie Stokes, 43 Madison Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604, (203) 367-9036 or to Bridgeport Rescue Mission, 1088 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, CT, (203) 333-4087. For information or to leave an on-line condolence, please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Connecticut Post from Jan. 8 to Jan. 13, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Ann O'Donnell

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Alana Callahan

January 2, 2021

Anne

you have had a great impact on so many young lives - your love of your students was evident in all you did. You continue to be missed.

Alana

Dawn Anstett

January 30, 2012

Anne,
I tried calling yu this evening and when I couldn't leave a message, I won't looking for you... You really were my mentor when I started teaching in that room opposite yours. You had the answers and were always there when I needed someone to talk to. You will be missed and you did make a difference to many in this world.

Tiffany, Che', and Jalen Nelson

January 13, 2012

I would like to offer and express my deepest condolences to the family and close friends. Ms. O'Donnell was such a beautiful person. Bridgeport has definitely lost an Elite Teacher! She was a master at teaching; there was no doubt about it! It has been a great pleasure and experience to have had her as my kindergarten teacher, she taught my sister and my son, and had a great impact on all our lives. " To know her was to love her". May she Rest In Peace.

Yvette Patterson

January 13, 2012

Ms. O'Donnell, You were a great Kindergarden teacher and a wonderful colleague, you will be missed.

T Dale

January 13, 2012

Our deepest sympathy go to Ms O'Donnell's family. She was one of a kind. The Dale Family, Tom, Chris and Tommy Jr.

D Vasquez

January 13, 2012

Ms. O'donnell you were my kindergarten teacher at PCM over 20 years ago, and still the best teacher I have ever had! You were there for me as well as my family through many rough times and you will forever be in my heart for this! You trueley were one of the great ones, an educator of greatness for you actually put faces behind our names! I can only hope for my children to have such a loving and dedicated teacher! May You Rest in Peace! D.M & J.V.L.

The Staff of Spear-Miller Funeral Home

January 13, 2012

Offering our deepest condolences during this time.

Ruth Rams

January 12, 2012

After so many years of excellent service to the Bridgeport School System Anne leaves behind the Spirit of Sacrifice for Bridgeport Students. Her legacy is a model for future teachers.

January 12, 2012

RIP DEAR MRS.O'DONNELL YOU WILL BE MISS
LOVE THE ARANGO FAMILY

Kelly Jeronczyk

January 12, 2012

Anne, It has not been the same since you left Park City Magnet. One thing I could say is you loved your job dearly and the children you treated them like they were your own. Rest In Peace.

Bonnie Baronavski

January 10, 2012

Ms. O'Donnell you will be missed by so many. You taught 2 of the Baronavski kids and tutored another so he would pass reading. That was many years ago but you will be in our hearts forever! So glad we got to see your special smile for the PCM graduation and you are a blessing to family, friends and all your students! Love The Baronavski Family

Ean Turner

January 9, 2012

Ms. O'Donell was my kindergarten teacher. She will be missed.R.I.P.

Naomi Amezquita

January 9, 2012

Last June, Anne was asked by one of our 8th graders if she could please attend Graduation. He so wanted her to be there to watch him graduate. Despite her serious illness, she came...just because he asked her to. That's the kind of teacher Anne was. I will never forget how excited the students were to see her. She gave them great advice and told them how proud she was of them all. Anne, you will be greatly missed, but will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace.

Kamala Turner

January 9, 2012

I missed seeing Ms. O'Donnell at PCM School over the past couple of years. She was truly a great teacher and always had something positive and influential to say. Ms. O'Donnell will truly be missed. RIP Ms. O'Donnell and my thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

Mr. Johnson

January 9, 2012

Anne, you were the wily vet that inexperienced teachers like me looked to for stability, and a good laugh. You were truly special, and will be sorely missed.

January 9, 2012

Anne, I miss you and will always be grateful for the time I have had with you. May you be at peace. Alana Callahan

Birdie D'Andrea

January 8, 2012

Ann was one of the first neighbors I met after moving to Fairfield. She was so friendly-we would walk our dogs together. What a sight we were-she with her beloved boxer, and me with my King Charles Cavaliers. She will be missed, but never forgotten. Rest in peace, my friend.

Alicea Family

January 8, 2012

PCM's ONE AND ONLY..... Master of Early Childhood.... Shaper of Young Minds......You are now at peace. The pain and agony are gone. Great and faithful servant your maker welcomes you HOME with open arms . Alicea Family will Never forget your teachings.

Timothy Peng

January 8, 2012

Ms. O'Donnell, you were and forever will be my favorite teacher. Although it was only kindergarten, I learned so many things thanks to your amazing teaching abilities. You saw three generations of Peng's go through Park City Magnet and we'll never forget the profound influence you had on our lives as well as the lives of your hundreds of students. May you forever rest in peace.

K Ojeda

January 8, 2012

may you rest in peace, you were one of my favorite teachers .. xo

Susan Domogala/Fleming

January 8, 2012

May you be at peace.

Susan Domogala/Fleming

January 8, 2012

My whole family will miss you Ann, You were one of the best teachers they have ever had.

Theresa Chaplin

January 8, 2012

"another great one lost, gone to soon, she has provided a number of us with a gift that couldn't be taken away from us, that GIFT was EARLY EDUCATION. I am so thankful for her and her willingness to teach, aynd see potential in those she knew had something special inside,
thank you GOD for Ms. O'Donnell. She along with my parents You will truely be missed love you .from Theresa Chaplin-Allen &family

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