Mary Ellen (Stanley) O’Donnell, 91, of New Bedford passed away Friday June 10, 2016 at Care One of New Bedford surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Dr. William F. O'Donnell, Jr.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of the late Ernest and Verna (Siefert) Stanley and stepdaughter of the late Gertrude M. Stanley, she lived in Washington, D.C. before moving to New Bedford in 1948.
She was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church.
Mrs. O’Donnell was a graduate of the Georgetown Hospital School of Nursing in Washington, D.C. She served in the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II.
A very creative individual, she was a poet, painter, avid reader, literary critic, and excellent cook. She was a true Renaissance woman.
Survivors include five children, William F. O'Donnell, III of New Bedford, Julia Sheehan of Fairhaven, Patricia Manning and her husband James of Lowell, Mary Ann Kaempf and her companion Bryan Nightlinger of New Bedford, and Thomas S. O'Donnell and his wife Tiffany of Annapolis, MD; nine grandchildren, Katherine Mary Lyng, John R. Sheehan, Thomas M. Sheehan, James Patrick Manning, Michaela Manning Pigeon, Sarah Ann Kaempf, Alysia Margaret Kaempf, Megan Ann O'Donnell, and Ceara Marie O'Donnell; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Her Funeral will be held on Tuesday at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Lawrence Church at 10 AM. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Ascend Hospice, 100 Locke Drive, Marlborough, MA 01752. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.