Connie O'Neil

1941 - 2024

O'Neil, Connie

February 16, 1941 - May 9, 2024

Connie O'Neil, 83, passed away on May 9, 2024. Born on February 16, 1941, in Omaha, she was known to her loved ones as "Connie." Connie was a homemaker and philanthropist, dedicating her life to caring for her family and giving back to her community.

She attended Brownell Talbot High School and later pursued higher education at Rollins College. She was Queen of Ak-Sar-Ben in 1961, and married Terry O'Neil in 1963. In addition to raising her children, Connie followed in her mother's footsteps in caring for her sister Nancy Cowdery and becoming very involved in advocating for people with disabilities. She was instrumental on various charity boards that focused on helping enrich the lives of people living with disabilities and those who cared for them. Connie used her resources to build systems that will continue to care for people in the disability community for decades to come.

Connie found joy in various hobbies, including ice skating, bowling, cross stitch, puzzles and reading. She cherished spending time at her lake home and with her family, creating lasting memories with those she held dear.

Connie will be deeply missed by her son, Timothy O'Neil; daughter, Nancy O'Neil Nelsen; son-in-law, Karl Nelsen; sister, Cindy McGowan; grandchildren, Andrew Nelsen, Abby Nelsen, Sammi Nelsen; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ben Cowdery; mother, Margaret Doorly Cowdery; and sister, Nancy Cowdery.

A SERVICE to honor Connie's life will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Omaha on July 12, 2024, at 2 p.m. Her family encourages those in attendance to wear Connie's favorite color, blue, and join them for her favorite dessert, ice cream, after the service. Her kindness, generosity, love, and vision for her community will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Quality Living Institute: QLI, Attn: Julia Bailey, 6404 North 70th Plaza, Omaha, NE 68104; or they can be made online at: teamQLI.com/donate with a note honoring Connie in the "special instructions" section; or to Munroe Meyer Institute, mail checks to: University of Nebraska, Attn: Nancys Place Aquatics, PO Box 82555, Lincoln, NE 68501 www.nufoundation.org/give/university-of-nebraska-medical-center/munroe-meyer/; Children's Respite Care Center, 5321 South 138th St., Omaha NE 68137, www.crccomaha.org/donate.