On Friday January 10, 2025, after a lengthy illness Sandra V. O'Neil ended her journey here on earth. On April 2, 1942 Martin J. and Jeannette Y (Lafreniere) O'Neil welcomed a beautiful blue-eyed baby girl that would perfectly complete their family of four with a twinkle in every laugh and smile. She grew up on Manchester's West side and attended Catholic schools.
A graduate of St. Josephs High School, Sandra found her true passion in creative writing and singing. She often shared these gifts in poems, notes and stories with family and friends. Sandra had an incredible voice and in her younger years sang with various choral groups and bands in the Manchester area. She was always singing to her children, which gave them all the same passion for music and song.
In 1962 Sandra married Richard (Dick) Walsh. Together they loved life and chose to share theirs with four children, whom they raised in Bedford for 20 years. In 1991, Sandra returned to her family home to care for her ailing mother.
Sandra started a career with New England Telephone at age 16. Along with her regular duties she wrote for the company's paper and lent her beautiful voice to the Belltones Choral group. She retired from Verizon in 2000 to devote all her time and love to her mother, as she did with everything in life, until her passing in 2004.
Sandra loved getting together with friends and family to play games, paint, YardSale, laugh, share a meal, a hug or a shoulder. She had the gift of gab and could engage in conversation with everyone she met. She had a way of making you feel special whether you knew her for 5 minutes or 50 years.
Of all the joys in life, her greatest was hearing the words Mom and Mimi. These were true heart songs to this woman who gave laughter and love her whole life.
Sandra was predeceased by her parents Martin and Jeannette O'Neil, and her son Timothy Walsh. Surviving family members include her brother Richard O'Neil and wife Barbara, children Kathleen (Walsh) Bell and Husband Richard II, Bridget Walsh, Tara (Walsh) Wynands and her husband Kenneth, grandchildren Taryn Wynands, Ian Walsh and his wife Samantha, Courtney Wynands, Richard Bell III and great grandchildren River Nassar and Jonah Nassar as well as several much-loved nieces and nephews,
Calling hours will be held on Thursday January 16, 2025 from 5PM-7PM at J.N. Boufford & Sons Funeral Home, 110 Bridge Street, Manchester.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday January 17, 2025 at 10AM in St. Raphael Church, 103 Walker St, Manchester. Burial will follow in St Joseph Cemetery, Bedford.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the New Hampshire SPCA, 104 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH 03885 or to the charity of your choosing.
For more information and online guestbook please visit www.bouffordfuneralhome.com.