Alice Theresa O'Neil

Alice T. (Cuthbert) O'Neil, age 84, of Lynn, died suddenly on Sunday January 16, 2011, at Union Hospital, where she was taken after being stricken ill at her home. She was the wife of the late Edmund P. O'Neil. A resident of Lynn for the majority of her life, Alice was the daughter of the late Alexander and Ann (Walsh) Cuthbert. Alice was a graduate of St. Mary's Grammar School, and of St. Mary's Girls High School, class of 1945. She had also attended the former Burdett Office Machines School, in Lynn. Alice remained loyal to St. Mary's High School, where she was on the board throughout the 1960's 1970's and 1980's, including serving as President of the Alumni Association from 1972-1975. Alice was also very active with her class including the planning of their 65th class reunion in 2010. Alice had worked at the GE Riverworks Plant from 1945-1957. She is remembered by many adults as the bus driver, who picked them up as children, for the Christ Child Nursery, West Lynn, from 1969-1988. Alice, along with her husband Ed, were dedicated volunteers for many years with activities for youth. Alice began a 25 year commitment to the North Bay Council of the Boy Scouts of America as a Den Mother for St. Pius V Pack 22, eventually becoming a Cub master and then a Commissioner for the North Bay Council. Scouting honored Alice with the George Martin Award, The Silver Beaver, and the Corrigan Award. Her Little League Baseball involvement began in 1966 as a scorekeeper for her husbands East Lynn Little League Baseball team. She would later become a coach and serve for many years on the EL Little League Board in many positions, most especially as Player Agent. Alice would eventually leave the EL Board and become the Director of the Jr., Sr., and Big League Programs for Little League District 15 and 16. In 1993, Alice became the District Administrator for MA Little League District 16. This position oversaw all activities of the 14 leagues in Lynn, Swampscott, Lynnfield, Saugus, Winthrop, Saugus and Revere. Alice held this position until 2009 and is regarded to have been one of the best DA's in Massachusetts. During her tenure as DA, Alice began the Grace Rogato Award for softball players and the Dill/Nelson Award for Challenger players and buddies. Her Baseball awards are numerous including the naming of the Baseball Diamond at Frey Playground in her honor, and the naming of the clubhouse at volunteer field in honor of Alice and Ed O'Neil. Her greatest achievement and joy came when Alice, and (as she would always add) many volunteers founded the Lynn Challenger Little League in 1991. Alice was the President of this league for handicapped children from 1991 until 2009 and continued to be involved, meeting with the current President only a few days before her death. In 2009 when Alice announced her retirement, a group of family and friends decided to have a testimonial dinner to honor Alice's 45 years of service to youth. Alice only agreed to this when the group proposed setting up a scholarship fund in her name that would help a current student attend St. Mary's High School. This fund began awarding a scholarship in 2010 and hopefully, through the generosity of Alice's many friends, will continue for many years. For many years Alice coordinated the use of Fraser Field and other parks throughout the city of Lynn. She and Ed also ran a small store at Caggiano Plaza for the residents to alleviate the need for people to have to go out and shop at a grocery store. She was also a member of AOH Division 10 and Emblem Club #7. Alice was a mother and grandmother first and took great pride in her son Patrick O'Neil and his wife Joy, of Cumberland, Maine, her grandchildren Christopher and his wife Kristin, of Waltham, Brendan, of Lynn, Colin, of Lynn, Carey, of TN, Tyler and his wife Ashley, of Maine, and Kelsey, of Maine. She also is survived by 2 sisters in law Mary Cuthbert, of Lawrence, and Patricia Cuthbert, of Hingham. She also leaves behind her dear friend Mary Upton, of Lynn. She was the sister of the late John and Francis Cuthbert. Her Funeral will be held on Saturday at 8am from the Solimine Landergan and Richardson Funeral Home 426 Broadway (RTE129), Lynn, followed by a Funeral Mass at 9am in St. Pius V Church. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hour's Friday 2-4 and 7-9. Donations may be made to the Alice O'Neil Scholarship c/o 46 Piedmont St. Lynn, MA 01904.