Stella Helen O’Neil, 78
Dateline: Richmond, VA
Stella Helen (Mackinlay) O’Neil, aged 78, of Richmond, VA passed into eternal rest on November 22, 2022. Born in Attleboro, MA on November 22, 1944 to Delores and Warren (“Mack”) Mackinlay, she enjoyed growing up with her siblings, Mary Jane (Mackinlay) Jacques and Peter Mackinlay. Stella graduated from Attleboro High School before pursuing her nursing degree at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Brighton, MA. She graduated in 1962.
Stella began her nursing career of 42 years at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, MA. She was well regarded for her professionalism and skill, first serving in the ICU before working in Recovery. Her colleagues speak of the expert instruction she provided incoming nurses. Many credit their success to Stella.
Parenting was Stella’s most loved, and she would say, most important job. She made her family’s home on East Street in Mansfield, MA. Mother to Christopher William and Daniel Patrick, she was always caring and supportive. Stella was a kind woman, loving her friends and family with the gift of time and contagious laughter. She brought her boys camping, to the beach and on extended vacations often. She created memories at pool parties and during many milestone occasions.
Stella was preceded in death by her parents, brother Peter, son Daniel Patrick and former husband William O’Neil. She is survived by her son Christopher and his wife Kathryn, and their son Daniel Brendan; the Jacques family and many friends.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated on Saturday, December 10th at 10:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt Street (Route 106) Mansfield. Burial will follow at the Spring Brook Cemetery in Mansfield.
Visiting hours are omitted and in lieu of flowers donations in Stella’s memory may be made to the Dementia Society of America.
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com