Mary Elizabeth O'Connell

Mary Elizabeth O'Connell
Jacksonville - Mary Elizabeth O'Connell, 67, of Jacksonville, passed peacefully early Christmas morning 2023, in her home surrounded by her family. Mary was diagnosed with glioblastoma in March of 2022, and with her strong will and fighting spirit surpassed all expectations and received the greatest gift of all being reunited with the Lord and loved ones.
She was born September 30, 1956, in Canton, the daughter of Floyd and Rosella Daniels Melvin. Mary was blessed to meet her soulmate and marry George M. O'Connell on July 20, 2003, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and he survives.
Mary is also survived by three children, Bryan (Gretchen) Goodall of Champaign, Amy (Chris) Urzi of Wentzville, Missouri, and Jodi (Mike) Snell of Noblesville, Indiana; and seven grandchildren, Emilyn, Braden, Abigail, Carmelina, Isaac, Enzo, and Mikaela. She is also survived by eight sisters, Ethel (Marvin) Johnson of Rossville, Georgia, Nancy (Larry) Coon of Elmwood, Marilyn (Dale) Henderson of Urbana, Ohio, Shirley Taylor, Penny (Jim) Stambaugh and Malissa West, all of Cuba, Bertha (Chuck) Sneyd of Springfield, and Pauline Melvin Mahan of Ipava; three brothers, Floyd (Becky) Melvin of Havana, Jim (Debbie) Melvin of Marietta, and Ron (Steve Phillips) Melvin of Nashville, Tennessee, and a very special aunt Dorothy Foley of Canton. She was preceded in death by three grandchildren, Coleman, Baby Goodall, and Reagan, three sisters, Viola Mae Keene, Bonnie Jean Caulkins, and Linda Ilene Melvin, infant brother Jerry Lynn Melvin, and brother-in-law Dallas Taylor.
After the passing of Mary's mother at a young age, Mary was raised by her sisters and eventually settled in White Hall where she attended high school. She worked at Roodhouse Envelope Company for several years and later for over ten years at Mobil Chemical in Jacksonville. She later worked in management for Walgreens until her retirement. Her final years working were spent at the Medicine Shoppe and Washington Elementary School in Jacksonville.
Mary was an avid bowler, bowling in the Tuesday Morning Women's League and with her husband George in the Lads and Lassies League, among others. She loved cooking and cleaning, collecting snowmen, making crafts, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. She was known for her beautiful wreathes and donated many to charities. Mary loved making Christmas special, attending Melvin family reunions, and spending time with her sisters. She adored her family, but most importantly, she cherished spending her time with grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 30, 3023, at Williamson Funeral Home. The family will meet friends from 11 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the funeral home. Private interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Memorial Home Services Hospice or Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.