A mass of Christian burial took place Jan. 3 at St. Catharine’s Church, Spring Lake, for Helen M. O’Connell, 93, of Wall. She passed away Dec. 30 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, with her family by her side. Helen was born and raised in Jersey City. She graduated from St. Michael’s High School, Jersey City. Helen was a communicant of St Aloysius Church of Jersey City and a member of Rosary Society there and then St Catharine’s Church, Spring Lake when she moved to the shore area.
Helen worked for St. Peter’s College for five years in the Athletic Department and then was employed by the Jersey City Board of Education in the Human Resources Department for over 20 years. She was a member of the St. Peter’s Prep Mother’s Club.
Helen loved to travel, crochet blankets and enjoyed her trips to New York City to see Broadway plays. Helen was predeceased by her parents Edward and Mary Taylor, her husband of 57 years John O’Connell in 1999 and a daughter Patricia O’Connell in 2009. She is survived by three sons and their spouses: John O’Connell and Kathleen Boyle of Lincroft, Robert and Carol O’Connell of Port Monmouth and Joseph and Kathleen O’Connell of Manasquan; a daughter and her husband Maureen and Joe Burke of Wall. Helen is also survived by nine grandchildren: Kerrin Tierney, Meghan Pedersen, Shannon Craney, Kiera Goral, Maribeth McCauliff, Caitlin Burke, Brian, John and Erin O’Connell; 6 great grandchildren Riley, Garrett, Brendan, Erin, Emma and Carson. Services arranged by the Orender Family Home for Funerals, Manasquan.