Lauren Ann O'Neill

1987 - 2024

Lauren Ann O'Neill, age 36, of Los Angeles, CA and formerly of Mechanicsville, VA passed away peacefully at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, CA on May 6, 2024.

Lauren had been living with Synovial Sarcoma, a very rare cancer, for the past 8 years. Determined to not let her diagnosis hold her back from following her dreams, she found a way to live passionately and fully with her cancer. Her final days were filled by joyous remembrances with her friends and quality time with her family. She passed away quietly with a beautiful view of the mountains while holding hands with her partner of many years, Rusty Meadows, and her close friend, Randi Brookman Harris. By Lauren's side were also her surviving parents, Ann Marie (Penny) & Timothy O'Neill, and younger sisters Lexi, Haley, and Tori.

Lauren treasured her friends and colleagues in the creative community. She thoroughly enjoyed solving real world problems and making other people's experiences more pleasurable and inclusive. Lauren helped bring to life products and experiences with dozens of amazing collaborators including those at Madewell, Kate Spade, Domino, Bloomingdale's, Darcy Miller, Color Factory, La Mercerie, Roman & Williams GUILD, Sugar Paper x Target, Nearly Impossible Conferences, Martha Stewart Weddings, Operation Simple, STORY at Macy's, Bellocq Tea, and Rifle Paper Co. Select work can be viewed at the portfolio below.

Lauren cherished and appreciated the education and experiences that enabled her to follow her dreams. She was grateful for her early opportunities at Virginia Commonwealth University Arts program, the VCU Honors College, The DaVinci Center at VCU, Atlee High School and Hanover County public schools in Mechanicsville. As a professional graphic designer and art director, she traveled the US and abroad to connect with friends, colleagues, collaborators, and clients to gain inspiration from nature, art, architecture, and history to develop new design ideas. She engaged in lifelong learning in her field of design and, later, in all things related to her cancer care and options for treatment. She was passionate and hopeful about emerging medical treatments for rare cancers, more accessible healthcare for everyone, and improving patient care experiences.

Lauren leaves the world a better and more beautiful place with her artistry, compassion, and curiosity. She loved nothing more than her expansive collection of friends and dedicated family who gave her joy and comfort. And she was grateful for her large extended family, near and far, who are all over the country, including the Eastern Shore, Atlanta, Manhattan, Santa Monica, San Antonio, and San Francisco. Celebrations and memorials will take place in the coming days with friends and family starting in California with a sunset picnic on a beach, The Manor House at Kings Charter in her hometown of Mechanicsville, VA and a burial in New York in her beloved Brooklyn borough.

We hope to connect with many of her friends at these celebrations, to share fond memories, and to thank all who have been praying for her and our family through this journey. Your support, kindness, and love have helped carry us through this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the GoFundMe site to help cover the cost of care by those who gave up their time to help. With much love and gratitude, God bless all.

Lauren's GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lauren-oneill-memorial

Lauren's portfolio: https://laurenoneilldesign.com/