Eleanor O'Neill

On November 28, 2025, Eleanor O'Neill, affectionately known as "Mama Mia", passed away peacefully at home, in her sleep, at the age of 91. She is survived by her six daughters: Peggy O'Neill-Mileto, Betty O'Neill and Patty O'Neill of Danbury, Ann-Marie (Tom) Principi of New Milford, Carol O'Neill of Stamford and Suzanne (Mauro) DiPreta of Bedford. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Martina (Ciaron) Mileto-Vize, Jason (Ari) Principi, Keleigh Principi and Nicholas (Olivia) Principi and great grandchildren, Neala and Ronan Vize.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Bill; her parents; and sisters Pauline Watrous, Marion Tavcar and Lillian Pollitt and brothers-in-law Frank Watrous, Bruno Tavcar, and Bob Pollitt.
Mama Mia was born in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, the youngest of four girls born to Slovenian immigrants, Ignac and Paula (Pogacar) Musich. As a young child, Mama Mia wanted to become a doctor. When she formulated a plan, she was laser focused, so at five years old she marched across a busy street by herself, walked through the doors of Most Holy Trinity School, entered the principal's office and told her she wanted to go to kindergarten there. Impressed by her determination, the principal enrolled her without her parents there and gave her a scholarship. Unfortunately, life got in the way of her medical dreams. When she was in eighth grade, her mom passed away--essentially ending her childhood--and she became a doctor of a different kind. Her new vocation became healer of all things family: taking care of her dad and older sisters, including cooking and household chores.
She later graduated from a commercial high school and worked in the insurance industry where she met our dad, Bill, her forever love. They married and raised six daughters. Their love story lasted almost 47 years. When Dad passed away, she was so heartbroken.
Mama Mia can only be described as a force of nature. Though her demeanor was shy, she was a warrior when it came to family, friends, and her faith. She always loved a good laugh and appreciated fine sarcasm.
In the neighborhood she was everyone's "other" mom. She was renowned for her calzone, homemade bread, and pizza. Wherever there was a need, sadness or struggle, there she was, knocking on your door with enough comfort food to feed an army. There were face imprints on her kitchen screen from the neighborhood kids waiting and hoping for whatever she had baked in the oven.
She was a stay-at-home mom and DIY specialist who seized every learning opportunity that presented itself; creating the warm and cozy home of her family's "Wonder Years". For example, after taking sewing classes, she started making her daughters' clothes. One year, she decided to crochet everyone a stocking hat and got a little carried away; each one ended up about three feet long. But, always one to make lemons out of lemonade, she explained they were dual-purposed to be both hat and scarf. This brave woman would also get up on a rickety ladder and paint the entire exterior of her two-story house because she wanted it to be red. At Christmas, she would cover old coffee cans with colorful contact paper and fill them with her delicious butter cookies.
One could go on forever about all the ways she touched the hearts of so many people. But if Mama Mia had been asked to write her own obituary, this selfless woman would have only offered two sentences: "I love you all! Lahko Noc and Dober Dan!"
God Bless you Mama Mia!... to us you were pure love and we are going to miss you so much.
Please join us in celebrating Mama Mia's life on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Cargain Funeral Home, 10 Fowler Ave Carmel, NY 10512.
Following the visitation, a Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m. at St. James the Apostle Church, 14 Gleneida Ave Carmel, NY 10512.
After Mass, Eleanor will be escorted to her final resting place alongside the love of her life, Bill, at Raymond Hill Cemetery, 165 NY-52 Carmel, NY 10512.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Cargain Funeral Homes, Inc., 10 Fowler Avenue, Carmel, NY 10512, 845-225-3672, www.cargainfuneralhomes.com.
We at Cargain Funeral Homes, Inc. are deeply committed to responsibly responding to the health, well-being, and needs of the families, guests and communities we are privileged to serve.