Dorthea M. O’Neil, 92, a longtime resident of Weare, died peacefully early Thursday morning, June28, 2012, at the age of 92. She was born in Femmoeller, Denmark on December 16, 1919 to Jorgen F. and Sidsel M. Jorgensen. Dorthea was predeceased by her husband Eugene T. O’Neil, who died on March, 26, 1987.
Dorthea lived in Nazi occupied Copenhagen during WWII and was proud to be able to provide assistance to Jewish people who were increasingly at risk as the war progressed. After the war Dorthea moved to Germany to find work and met Eugene in Wiesbaden, Germany where Eugene served in the occupation forces. She emigrated to the United States in 1948. She worked for many years at Northeastern Engineering before becoming active in real estate.
Dorthea served the New Hampshire legislature from 1972 to 1978 and was a Trustee of the Weare Library. She was an active senior and involved in many groups including the Mountain Goats Hiking Club, the Weare Garden Club and the Weare-ites.
Dorthea is survived by a sister, Kirsten Drachmann of Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Family members include two sons, Michael O’Neil and his wife, Grace Sullivan, of Deerfield, NH and John O’Neil and his wife Sheryl of Auburn, NH; six grandchildren, Jacob O’Neil and his wife Lauren of Essex Junction, VT, Michael O’Neil of Santa Monica, CA, Sarah O’Neil of Newton, MA, Shannon O’Neil of Fairlee, VT, Meghan O’Neil of Reading, MA and Haley O’Neil of Auburn, NH and a great grandson, Trevor O’Neil, of Essex Junction, VT.
An informal gathering celebrating Dorthea’s life took place on Sunday, July 1, 2012, at 282 Maplewold Road, Weare, NH.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Weare Public Library, PO Box 227, Weare, NH 03281.