Abbie F. (Creeden) O’Connell, of Brockton, died peacefully August 10, 2017 at St. Joseph Manor at the age of 101. Abbie was the wife of the late James F. O’Connell., Sr. Born in Brockton on August 2, 1916, she was the daughter of the late John and Abbie (Hallisey) Creeden. She attended Brockton Public Schools and graduated from Brockton High School in 1934 and the Brockton Hospital School of Nursing as an RN in 1937. For several years she worked at the Brockton Hospital and was working in the hospital’s Emergency Room during the Strand Theater Fire in 1941 where she treated many of the injured.
Abbie married James “Okey” O’Connell in 1949, had a son James Jr. in 1952 and spent most of her life as a caregiver. She cared for hospital patients, her parents, husband and sister. She was always ready to help a sick friend or relative and was often called upon to do so. Some of Abbie’s happiest years were when she became a mother and grandmother. She was devoted to her family and faith and rarely missed Sunday mass.
Abbie is survived by her daughter-in-law, Margaret O’Connell and grandson Daniel O’Connell both of Mansfield; granddaughter Alice O’Connell of Somerville and grandson Edmund O’Connell of Attleboro; a nephew William Connors and his family, and several cousins. She was the loving mother of the late James F. O’Connell, Jr.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Manor on Tuesday September 5, at 10am. Visiting Hours are omitted. Please consider donations in Abbie’s name to St. Joseph Manor, 215 Thatcher Street, Brockton, MA 02302.