Olympia “Ollie” Marie O’Neill passed away on August 30, 2016 in Biddeford, Maine, after a period of declining health. She had turned 89 the day before she died. Ollie was born in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1927, to Gennaro and Olympia (Volpe) D’Andrea. She had three sisters - Regina (deceased), Elia (deceased) and Rosalina. She graduated from Quincy High School in 1946 and married John E. O’Neill, Jr. of Weymouth, MA in 1949. John was a career U.S. Marine and for over 20 years, Ollie and her growing family traveled extensively throughout the United States and lived on numerous military bases. She formed many lifetime friendships during this period. Upon her husband’s retirement, the family moved to Derry, NH where Ollie resided for over 45 years. In recent years she moved to assisted living in Maine.
In Derry, Ollie was a parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas church and participated in several community activities. For over 10 years, she volunteered at the Community Caregivers of Greater Derry. One of her favorite activities was bringing her recordings of vintage music to be enjoyed by residents of local nursing homes. A skilled crafter, Ollie enjoyed painting, crocheting, scrap booking, and baking. Her many friends eagerly awaited their plate of her famous Christmas cookies.
Ollie is survived by her sister, Rosalina Peacock of Dunedin, FL, her sister-in-law, Florence Riley of Contoocook, NH, four children – Steven O’Neill (and his wife Mary Ann) of New Boston, NH, Cheryl O’Neill (and her husband Spencer Clough) of Kingston, MA, Kate O’Neill of Arundel, ME, and Brian O’Neill of Londonderry, NH. She also leaves eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
Following cremation, a calling hour was held on Friday, September 9, 2016 from 10 – 11am in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. A memorial service was held at 11:00am in the funeral home. Private burial followed in the Forest Hill Cemetery, E. Derry next to her husband. It was Ollie’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the Community Caregivers of Greater Derry, 1 B Commons Drive #10, Londonderry, NH 03053.