Maureen Ellen O’Connell

Maureen Ellen O'Connell
May 9, 1948 – March 8, 2025
Maureen left our lives peacefully this past Saturday, March 8, 2025, loved, and surrounded by her four children Cheri, Louie, Deni, and Joey.
Maureen was born in Manhattan, New York on May 9, 1948 to Eileen Flatley O'Connell and William John O'Connell. She grew up in the small close-knit community of Elmsford, NY along with her parents and two brothers, Thomas O'Connell and Frank O'Connell. Maureen was blessed with a large extended Irish family (30+ aunts and uncles and 56 first cousins) living nearby. In Elmsford, Maureen made her two lifelong best friends, Virginia 'Honey' McElroy and Anne Gallagher Povella.
Maureen attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Elmsford, Maria Regina High School in Hartsdale, and Berkley Secretarial School in White Plains, NY. She began her career as a secretary at the Hummel Goebell Collectors Club in Tarrytown, NY. Maureen later spent many years as a secretary for the Village of Elmsford, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School, Elmsford Summer Day Camp, and the Elmsford Union Free School District.
Maureen raised her four children on North French Avenue in Elmsford; just down the street from her childhood home on Winthrop Avenue. She loved her home on North French Ave. It was a true revolving door of friends and family, with everyone calling it home. Maureen resided there for many years even after her children had moved on. It would not be uncommon on any morning of the week to walk into Maureen's kitchen and find Honey and Anne or Maureen's brothers, Tommy and Frankie sitting at her table, drinking coffee and engaged in lively conversation.
Maureen was a devoted parishioner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. She was a member of the Elmsford American Italian Club.
Maureen loved sports. Any sports. She played softball in the Elmsford Women's League at DeLuca Park in Elmsford. Maureen spent many happy years at the Elmsford Little League Field, working the concession stand and watching her children play baseball. Maureen was one of the founders and first coaches of the Elmsford Girls Softball League. She supported and followed her children as they played basketball or cheered for OLMC. Maureen was an avid Stepinac High School football fan, where her brother Frankie and son Louie played, however, her loyalties were tested when her youngest son, Joey, decided to attend and play football for Iona Prep. Some of Maureen's happiest memories were picnicking on the hill at White Plains Field in Elmsford, watching her brothers and later her sons play in the Elmsford Mens Softball League, as well as participating in or just watching the Little League Parade down Main Street.
As the years passed, Maureen was grateful to be able to watch her nieces and nephews, as well as her grandchildren play the sports she loved so much, and learn about the new sports they loved such as lacrosse, golf, and ice hockey.
Maureen's last decade was spent between Somers, New York, and Largo, Florida. There she enjoyed her retirement, and being close to her children, grandchildren (Liam, Billy, Matty, Anna, Bella, Sydney, and LJ), and great-grandchildren (Aurelia and Cecelia).
Maureen's life was filled with friends, family, and love. Maureen will be remembered as a kind and generous person, who influenced so many lives during her time at OLMC and Elmsford Day Camp. She was a great friend to many people. Maureen was a supportive and loving daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, friend, and mother. She valued and cared for her family. Maureen was incredibly proud of everyone in her life. She will be remembered fondly with stories of Memorial Day parades, Babe Ruth baseball barbecues, Italian feasts, spaghetti dinners at the AI Club, coffee at her kitchen table, and Carvel desserts.
Maureen is survived by her children: Cheri (Dave) Cardino, Louie (Rose) Gangemi, Denise Gangemi, and Joe (Jessica) Gangemi. She is also survived by her grandchildren: William, Anna, and Sydney Cardino; Liam (Zoe) and Matthew Gangemi; and Isabella and Joseph Gangemi. Additionally, Maureen has two great-grandchildren, Aurelia and Cecelia Gangemi.
Her surviving siblings are brothers Thomas (Christine) O'Connell and Frank (Sue) O'Connell. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews: Kristi (Alan) Prior, Trisha (Mike) Remes, Patrick (Jacqui) O'Connell, Timmy O'Connell, and Helen (John) Dommermuth.
Donations may be made in Maureen's name to Our Lady Of Mt. Carmel Elementary School, 159 E Main Street, Elmsford, NY 10523
Maureen's Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 9, 2025 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Elmsford, NY.