Diane O'Connell

Diane (Mendys) O'Connell, 79, of Auburn, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 14, 2025, after an illness.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Philip O'Connell Jr.; her daughter, Alicia Rogers, and her husband Cornelius of Worcester; and her grandchildren, Scarlett and Bear Rogers of Worcester. She also leaves her sister-in-law Mary Trainor of Worcester; cousins Barbara Debs of Sutton, Carolyn McClure of Onset, Karen DeBari of Holden, Judith Ritchie of Harwichport, and Deborah Cozzolino of Laguna Nigel, CA; as well as nieces and nephews Honora Shibley of Wilmington, NC, Walter Hagstrom of Quincy, Jane Nolan of Millbury, Matthew Trainor of North Conway, NH, and Andrew Trainor of Aspen, CO. She was predeceased by her sister, Joan Hagstrom.
Born in Worcester to Francis and Jane (Czyryca) Mendys, Diane was raised on Vernon Hill in a close-knit Polish-American family. She attended St. Mary's School, the parish school of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, where she enjoyed cheerleading, music, and drama. Diane graduated from Rivier College in 1968 and went on to have a fulfilling 35-year teaching career at Elmwood Street School and Raymond E. Shaw Elementary School in Millbury. There, she made lifelong friends and touched the lives of countless fourth-grade students.
Diane loved hosting holidays and family celebrations, especially Wigilia on Christmas Eve, a tradition that meant a great deal to her. She enjoyed traveling with Phil, spending winter weeks in Florida with dear friends Elaine and Jack Cahill, and, in recent years, summer weekends in Maine. Her favorite trips were to the theater with Alicia and, most especially, to the casino for overnights with close friends Maureen Baldino, Sharon Berridge, and Lynda Lariviere.
Diane lit up every room she entered. She brought joy to those around her and had a natural ability to make others feel welcome and cared for. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her.
The family extends sincere gratitude to Donna Dube and Dorothy Dulmaine for the exceptional support and care they provided. They also wish to thank UMass Memorial Hospitals, as well as VNA Care, especially Kiahtay and Reverend Ted, for their outstanding service.
Donations may be made to the Worcester Public Library Foundation at www.mywpl.org
Calling hours will be held at Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central Street, Auburn, on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 3 – 7 PM. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, 189 Oxford Street North, Auburn, on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 11 AM – kindly proceed directly to church, please. Burial will be private.