BROOKLINE-A. Justine O’Donnell, formerly of Worcester, died Thursday, February 5th in Coolidge House Nursing Center, Brookline. She leaves a sister-in-law, Clare Ann O’Donnell of Falmouth; five nieces; ten nephews; and several grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Phyllis A. Seymour, and three brothers, Cleo A. O’Donnell, Jr., Kenneth P. O’Donnell and Warren F. O’Donnell.
She was born in Worcester, the daughter of Cleo and Alice (Guerin) O’Donnell and graduated from Classical High School, Salter Secretarial School and she attended Clark University. While in Worcester, Miss O’Donnell worked at Worcester Moulded Plastics. She then worked for the Democratic National Committee scheduling office for John F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign, the Kennedy White House Transition Team and she was the Assistant to the Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee.
In 1964, Miss O’Donnell returned to Massachusetts to coordinate her brother, Kenneth P. O’Donnell’s gubernatorial campaign. In 1980, she returned to Washington to work for Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s campaign for President. She spent many years in government service, retiring from the Massachusetts Health & Human Services Agency in 1997.
The funeral is Monday, February 9th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, Worcester, with a Mass at 10:00 A.M. in Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant Street, Worcester. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Robert F. Kennedy Children Action Corps, 11 Beacon Street, Suite 200, Boston, MA 02108 or to the Special Olympics Massachusetts, 450 Maple Street, Building 1, Danvers, MA 01923.