Mary O'Neil

Rensselaer- Mary Carmen O'Neil age 78 passed away suddenly on Friday, February 3, 2017 at her residence. She was born May 26, 1938 in Cooperstown to the late Carmen Vito and Philomena Josephina Booan. She was raised in Cooperstown and lived in Albany most of her life. Mary was a graduate from Cooperstown High School in 1956 and Albany Business School in 1958. Mrs. O'Neil began her career with the NYS Police as an executive secretary for the Deputy Superintendent. Mary raised her children and then returned to work for the Albany City School District as an Administrative Assistant until her retirement in 2000. She was a member of the Italian American Community Center and the Fort Crailo Garden Club. Mary was a caring, compassionate woman who generously gave her time to others and cherished spending time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She enjoyed traveling and vacationing with her beloved husband, the time she spent in Disney with her grandchildren, gardening and taking care of her many cats over the years. Mary was one of a kind who touched many lives. Wife of Gerald O'Neil Jr. whom she married in Cooperstown on November 22, 1968. Mother of Gerald (Denise) O'Neil, III, Stephen O'Neil, Jennifer (John) Haggerty and Maureen O'Neil. Grandmother of Kimberly, Rocco, Michael, Christopher and Nicole. Great grandmother of Christopher, Ava and Scarlett. Sister of Joseph (Carol) Booan. Longtime friend of Elizabeth Stewart. Also survived by many special friends and several nieces, nephews and cousins whom she adored. Funeral from the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home 1700 Washington Avenue Rensselaer Thursday morning at 9:00 AM and 10:00 at St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph Church Herrick Street Rensselaer where the funeral mass will be offered. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 4-7PM. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. Donations can be made in Mary's memory to Mohawk Hudson Humane Society Animal Shelter, Menands, NY and Kidsvcancer.org.