Elizabeth Adele O’Connell, age 96, of Appleton, died peacefully on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at St. Elizabeth Hospital with her loving family at her side.
Elizabeth (Betty, Liz) was born December 7, 1919 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, daughter of Charles and Mary (Hegyi) Zavets, Catholic, Hungarian immigrants. Betty’s family owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store and deli where Betty worked after school and weekends and developed a tremendous work ethic. Her work ethic and deep faith provided by her family remained with her for the rest of her life.
She graduated from Perth Amboy High School and from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in New York City. Upon graduation, Betty went to work as a registered nurse at F.B.I. headquarters in Washington D.C. While working there, she met her future husband of 66 years, John D. O’Connell, an F.B.I. agent. They were married in 1945 in Perth Amboy. Due to John’s assignments as a Special Agent in the F.B.I., John and Betty lived in Detroit and Milwaukee before moving to Appleton in 1952 with their first two children. Two more were born in Appleton as John and Betty continued to raise their family. While raising her children, Betty generously contributed her time and energy to community and church-based activities. She was a member of Christ Child Society and Catholic Daughters and in later years served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Therese Parish in Appleton. IN addition to working as a nurse for a time, she also volunteered her nursing skills in the community and volunteered at the voting polls.
In a less formal but very powerful manner, she gave of herself to friends, neighbors and family members in countless ways. Whether it was a visit to the sick with a home-cooked meal, a card and phone call to remember a friend’s birthday, pumpkin bread for the grandchildren, or a singing birthday message over the phone to her children and grandchildren, she was dedicated to making life better for her loved ones. All knew Betty as a giving, kind person with a fun personality. In her later years, she was blessed by many friends and neighbors going out of their way to help her and be part of her life.
Betty was a fabulous cook, a talent she learned from her mother. Family members all had their favorite dish.
Upon moving to Wisconsin, Betty was introduced to the “country life” at the O’Connell homestead in Montello, WI, the center of many family gatherings. Her cooking skills were expanded considerably as she partnered with her husband John by canning and freezing produce harvested from the O'Connell vegetable garden. She made the absolute best tomato soup and juice, jams and jellies, and dill pickles.
She was preceded in death by her husband John, her sisters Helen Zavets, Mary Knapik and Ann Palmer, her brothers George and James Zavets, sisters-in-law Marie Zavets, Mary Pat Jensen, and Sister Kathleen O’Connell, O.P., and brothers-in-law Desmond O’Connell, Wayne Jensen, Julius Knapik and Howard Palmer.
She is survived by her four children, Kathleen O’Connell of Appleton, Dennis O’Connell of Portage, WI, Daniel (Debby) O’Connell of Madison, WI, Patrick (Katie) O’Connell of DePere, WI, seven grandchildren; Patrick and Lindsay O’Connell of Madison, John Daniel (J.D.) O’Connell of St. Louis, Mo, Brennan O’Connell of Chicago, IL, Ryan O’Connell of DePere, and Daniel and Caitlin O’Connell of Portage. She is further survived by a sister-in-law Verna O’Connell of Milwaukee, and several nieces and nephews from Wisconsin, New Jersey, California and Louisiana.
A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 16 at St. Therese Catholic Church, 213 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI with Father William Hoffman officiating.
Appleton Post Crewcent Apr 13 2016
Elizabeth (Betty, Liz) was born December 7, 1919 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, daughter of Charles and Mary (Hegyi) Zavets, Catholic, Hungarian immigrants. Betty’s family owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store and deli where Betty worked after school and weekends and developed a tremendous work ethic. Her work ethic and deep faith provided by her family remained with her for the rest of her life.
She graduated from Perth Amboy High School and from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in New York City. Upon graduation, Betty went to work as a registered nurse at F.B.I. headquarters in Washington D.C. While working there, she met her future husband of 66 years, John D. O’Connell, an F.B.I. agent. They were married in 1945 in Perth Amboy. Due to John’s assignments as a Special Agent in the F.B.I., John and Betty lived in Detroit and Milwaukee before moving to Appleton in 1952 with their first two children. Two more were born in Appleton as John and Betty continued to raise their family. While raising her children, Betty generously contributed her time and energy to community and church-based activities. She was a member of Christ Child Society and Catholic Daughters and in later years served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Therese Parish in Appleton. IN addition to working as a nurse for a time, she also volunteered her nursing skills in the community and volunteered at the voting polls.
In a less formal but very powerful manner, she gave of herself to friends, neighbors and family members in countless ways. Whether it was a visit to the sick with a home-cooked meal, a card and phone call to remember a friend’s birthday, pumpkin bread for the grandchildren, or a singing birthday message over the phone to her children and grandchildren, she was dedicated to making life better for her loved ones. All knew Betty as a giving, kind person with a fun personality. In her later years, she was blessed by many friends and neighbors going out of their way to help her and be part of her life.
Betty was a fabulous cook, a talent she learned from her mother. Family members all had their favorite dish.
Upon moving to Wisconsin, Betty was introduced to the “country life” at the O’Connell homestead in Montello, WI, the center of many family gatherings. Her cooking skills were expanded considerably as she partnered with her husband John by canning and freezing produce harvested from the O'Connell vegetable garden. She made the absolute best tomato soup and juice, jams and jellies, and dill pickles.
She was preceded in death by her husband John, her sisters Helen Zavets, Mary Knapik and Ann Palmer, her brothers George and James Zavets, sisters-in-law Marie Zavets, Mary Pat Jensen, and Sister Kathleen O’Connell, O.P., and brothers-in-law Desmond O’Connell, Wayne Jensen, Julius Knapik and Howard Palmer.
She is survived by her four children, Kathleen O’Connell of Appleton, Dennis O’Connell of Portage, WI, Daniel (Debby) O’Connell of Madison, WI, Patrick (Katie) O’Connell of DePere, WI, seven grandchildren; Patrick and Lindsay O’Connell of Madison, John Daniel (J.D.) O’Connell of St. Louis, Mo, Brennan O’Connell of Chicago, IL, Ryan O’Connell of DePere, and Daniel and Caitlin O’Connell of Portage. She is further survived by a sister-in-law Verna O’Connell of Milwaukee, and several nieces and nephews from Wisconsin, New Jersey, California and Louisiana.
A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 16 at St. Therese Catholic Church, 213 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI with Father William Hoffman officiating.
Appleton Post Crewcent Apr 13 2016
Elizabeth Adele O’Connell, age 96, of Appleton, died peacefully on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at St. Elizabeth Hospital with her loving family at her side.
Elizabeth (Betty, Liz) was born December 7, 1919 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, daughter of Charles and Mary (Hegyi) Zavets, Catholic, Hungarian immigrants. Betty’s family owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store and deli where Betty worked after school and weekends and developed a tremendous work ethic. Her work ethic and deep faith provided by her family remained with her for the rest of her life.
She graduated from Perth Amboy High School and from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in New York City. Upon graduation, Betty went to work as a registered nurse at F.B.I. headquarters in Washington D.C. While working there, she met her future husband of 66 years, John D. O’Connell, an F.B.I. agent. They were married in 1945 in Perth Amboy. Due to John’s assignments as a Special Agent in the F.B.I., John and Betty lived in Detroit and Milwaukee before moving to Appleton in 1952 with their first two children. Two more were born in Appleton as John and Betty continued to raise their family. While raising her children, Betty generously contributed her time and energy to community and church-based activities. She was a member of Christ Child Society and Catholic Daughters and in later years served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Therese Parish in Appleton. IN addition to working as a nurse for a time, she also volunteered her nursing skills in the community and volunteered at the voting polls.
In a less formal but very powerful manner, she gave of herself to friends, neighbors and family members in countless ways. Whether it was a visit to the sick with a home-cooked meal, a card and phone call to remember a friend’s birthday, pumpkin bread for the grandchildren, or a singing birthday message over the phone to her children and grandchildren, she was dedicated to making life better for her loved ones. All knew Betty as a giving, kind person with a fun personality. In her later years, she was blessed by many friends and neighbors going out of their way to help her and be part of her life.
Betty was a fabulous cook, a talent she learned from her mother. Family members all had their favorite dish.
Upon moving to Wisconsin, Betty was introduced to the “country life” at the O’Connell homestead in Montello, WI, the center of many family gatherings. Her cooking skills were expanded considerably as she partnered with her husband John by canning and freezing produce harvested from the O'Connell vegetable garden. She made the absolute best tomato soup and juice, jams and jellies, and dill pickles.
She was preceded in death by her husband John, her sisters Helen Zavets, Mary Knapik and Ann Palmer, her brothers George and James Zavets, sisters-in-law Marie Zavets, Mary Pat Jensen, and Sister Kathleen O’Connell, O.P., and brothers-in-law Desmond O’Connell, Wayne Jensen, Julius Knapik and Howard Palmer.
She is survived by her four children, Kathleen O’Connell of Appleton, Dennis O’Connell of Portage, WI, Daniel (Debby) O’Connell of Madison, WI, Patrick (Katie) O’Connell of DePere, WI, seven grandchildren; Patrick and Lindsay O’Connell of Madison, John Daniel (J.D.) O’Connell of St. Louis, Mo, Brennan O’Connell of Chicago, IL, Ryan O’Connell of DePere, and Daniel and Caitlin O’Connell of Portage. She is further survived by a sister-in-law Verna O’Connell of Milwaukee, and several nieces and nephews from Wisconsin, New Jersey, California and Louisiana.
A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 16 at St. Therese Catholic Church, 213 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI with Father William Hoffman officiating.
Appleton Post Crewcent Apr 13 2016
Elizabeth (Betty, Liz) was born December 7, 1919 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, daughter of Charles and Mary (Hegyi) Zavets, Catholic, Hungarian immigrants. Betty’s family owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store and deli where Betty worked after school and weekends and developed a tremendous work ethic. Her work ethic and deep faith provided by her family remained with her for the rest of her life.
She graduated from Perth Amboy High School and from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in New York City. Upon graduation, Betty went to work as a registered nurse at F.B.I. headquarters in Washington D.C. While working there, she met her future husband of 66 years, John D. O’Connell, an F.B.I. agent. They were married in 1945 in Perth Amboy. Due to John’s assignments as a Special Agent in the F.B.I., John and Betty lived in Detroit and Milwaukee before moving to Appleton in 1952 with their first two children. Two more were born in Appleton as John and Betty continued to raise their family. While raising her children, Betty generously contributed her time and energy to community and church-based activities. She was a member of Christ Child Society and Catholic Daughters and in later years served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Therese Parish in Appleton. IN addition to working as a nurse for a time, she also volunteered her nursing skills in the community and volunteered at the voting polls.
In a less formal but very powerful manner, she gave of herself to friends, neighbors and family members in countless ways. Whether it was a visit to the sick with a home-cooked meal, a card and phone call to remember a friend’s birthday, pumpkin bread for the grandchildren, or a singing birthday message over the phone to her children and grandchildren, she was dedicated to making life better for her loved ones. All knew Betty as a giving, kind person with a fun personality. In her later years, she was blessed by many friends and neighbors going out of their way to help her and be part of her life.
Betty was a fabulous cook, a talent she learned from her mother. Family members all had their favorite dish.
Upon moving to Wisconsin, Betty was introduced to the “country life” at the O’Connell homestead in Montello, WI, the center of many family gatherings. Her cooking skills were expanded considerably as she partnered with her husband John by canning and freezing produce harvested from the O'Connell vegetable garden. She made the absolute best tomato soup and juice, jams and jellies, and dill pickles.
She was preceded in death by her husband John, her sisters Helen Zavets, Mary Knapik and Ann Palmer, her brothers George and James Zavets, sisters-in-law Marie Zavets, Mary Pat Jensen, and Sister Kathleen O’Connell, O.P., and brothers-in-law Desmond O’Connell, Wayne Jensen, Julius Knapik and Howard Palmer.
She is survived by her four children, Kathleen O’Connell of Appleton, Dennis O’Connell of Portage, WI, Daniel (Debby) O’Connell of Madison, WI, Patrick (Katie) O’Connell of DePere, WI, seven grandchildren; Patrick and Lindsay O’Connell of Madison, John Daniel (J.D.) O’Connell of St. Louis, Mo, Brennan O’Connell of Chicago, IL, Ryan O’Connell of DePere, and Daniel and Caitlin O’Connell of Portage. She is further survived by a sister-in-law Verna O’Connell of Milwaukee, and several nieces and nephews from Wisconsin, New Jersey, California and Louisiana.
A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 16 at St. Therese Catholic Church, 213 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI with Father William Hoffman officiating.
Appleton Post Crewcent Apr 13 2016
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