NATICK: Ethel M. (Callanan) O’Neill, age 99, a former longtime resident of Natick, died peacefully on September 25, 2013, at the Wayland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was the devoted wife of the late Massachusetts State Police Captain Joseph P. O’Neill.
Born in Washington, DC, a daughter of Joseph P. and Agnes (Buckley) Callanan, Ethel moved with her family to Mission Hill in Boston at the age of six. She was a graduate of Mission High School and continued her education at Regis College in Weston. Ethel and Joe were married and lived in Mission Hill prior to settling in Ashland in 1959. She came to Natick following Joe’s death in 1977.
Ethel was first and foremost a loving wife and mother. She was most in her element when cooking for and hosting large family gatherings, or holding a young grand or great-grandchild in her arms. Ethel spent many years splitting her time between Winterhaven, FL, and Humarock, still finding time to literally travel the world. Long ago, a cherished pastime was playing card games with a group of caring and lively friends.
She is survived by four sons, Joseph P. O’Neill and his wife Joan of Pembroke, Robert A. O’Neill and his wife Jean of Hingham, Paul R. O’Neill of Framingham, and Richard J. O’Neill and his wife Kathryn of Natick; a daughter, Katherine A. Astapoveh and her husband Richard of Framingham; 13 grandchildren, Elizabeth Southern, Ann Marie Hunt and her husband Scott, Dennis O’Neill, Maureen Rowe and her husband Tim, Stephen O’Neill and his wife Susan, Christine O’Neill and her husband Phillip Rossoni, Claire O’Neill, Cathleen McCarthy and her husband Richard, Colleen O’Neill and her spouse Lisa Ornberg, James O’Neill, Richard O’ Neill, Jr., and his wife Amy, Michael O’Neill and his wife Jennifer, and Kevin O’Neill and his wife Jennifer; and 13 great-grandchildren, Christopher, Jessica, Maggie, Lauren, Emily, John, Jack, Colin, Parker, Jamie, Jasmine, Kaelin, and Braeden. She also the sister of the late Constance McGuire and Richard and Joseph Callanan.
Her funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, Natick, on Saturday, Sept. 28th at 9:00a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, at 10:00a.m. Interment Holyhood Cemetery.
Visiting hours Friday 5 – 8p.m.