WORCESTER-Julieanne M. “Jewlz” O’Dell, of Worcester, passed away peacefully Monday, September 20th in UMass Medical Center after an illness. She leaves her sister, Patty O’Dell and her Goddaughter, Kelly Johnson, with whom she lived; her sister Katherine Adams and her husband William of Worcester; four nephews; two nieces; many cousins. Julie also leaves her best friend and advocate Tina Bernier, close friends Janet Traska, Lisa Leal and Dave Desjardian as well as all the staff from the Lutheran Service, DMR and the Seven Hills Foundation, all for whom she cared for deeply. Her sister, Teresa O’Dell and her step mother, Rita O’Dell, predeceased her.
Julie was born in Worcester, the daughter of James E. and Mary T. (Roughan) O’Dell and lived there her whole life. She attended Our Lady of Mercy School and proudly graduated with the class of 1976 from South High School under chapter 766. Julie was an active member of the community. Among her many achievements were giving the opening speech at the Special Olympics in Boston and receiving medals for both swimming and bowling. Julie had a strong work ethic, taking advantage of every work program she was involved in. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially her monthly outings with her close friends Maybel and Kenny. Julie enjoyed going to her day program at Seven Hills where she had many friends and loved the staff. She also loved swimming, bowling, shopping, watching her favorite TV show, “Touched by an Angel”, going to the movies and restaurants, and other outings with her respite workers, who helped to make these activities possible for Julie. Her favorite time of the years was Christmas, because she loved picking out and buying presents for her friends and family. She cherished all her relationships with everyone who entered her life. Even throughout all of her illnesses, Julie made friends with the staff at UMass Medical Center, who took excellent care of Julie each and every time she fell ill. Julie’s most prized relationship was the one she shared with her father. She was proud of her Irish Heritage and the work ethic her father instilled in her. Above all else, Julie cherished her trips to Cape Cod to spend time with her father.
The funeral is Thursday, September 23rd from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 11:30 AM in St. Peter’s Church, 931 Main Street. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. A calling hour will be held from 10:00 until 11:00 Thursday morning in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Olympics Massachusetts, Attn: Donations, Yawkey Sports Training Center, 512 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752.