Margaret E. O’Neil, 86, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013. Born in New Bedford, she was the daughter of the late Norah (Davis) and Alexander Smith and the widow of Andrew D. O'Neil.
Known to many who loved her as Mother Maggs, Maggie devoted her life to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was the quintessential matriarch; regaling all who loved her with her spirited personality, keen sense of humor, and no-nonsense perspective on life. Her door was always open and she was surrogate mother to many, especially Nona Sbordone and William Burns, Jr. Those of us who frequented her bustling living room will dearly miss her banter, her candid advice and her beloved cantankerous personality.
She is survived by her children, Catherine D. Norton and her husband Stephen, Thomas E. O’Neil and his companion Maggie Alves, Mark A. O’Neil and his wife Laurie, Margaret (Peggy) E. Verronneau and her husband Michael, Andrew D. O’Neil, Jr. and his wife Jacqueline, Michael J. O’Neil and his companion Elizabeth Shannon, and Christopher O’Neil and his wife Kristine; 12 grandchildren; Meghan (Norton) Kratz, Molly (Norton) Fazzi, Stephanie A. Norton, Jamie R. O’Neil, Erin R. O’Neil, Andrew P. O’Neil, Nicole M. Verronneau, William E. O’Neil, Patrick A. O’Neil, Matthew M. O’Neil, Lauren E. O’Neil, and Kathryn M. O’Neil; great-grandchildren; Brady and Kallie Kratz; sisters; Alice Larson, Shirley Smith, and Barbara Brennan; brother; Alexander Smith, Jr.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was sister to the late Martha Sullivan, Catherine Griffin, Mary T. Smith, Eleanor Fontaine, Natalie Arnett, Peter Smith, Theresa M. Smith, and Winifred A. Smith.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM at St. Lawrence Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Thomas H. and Catherine D. O’Neil Charitable Foundation, www.oneilfoundation.org. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.