Louise T. O'Connell's Obituary
Louise T. (Campling) O’Connell, 93, passed away Sunday, January 22, 2023, surrounded by her family after a period of declining health.
Louise was born September 1, 1929, to the late Walter and M. Louise (Bergeron) Campling in Lawrence, MA. She was raised in Methuen and graduated from St. Mary’s High School. Following high school, she attended St. Margaret’s School of Nursing at Carney Hospital in Dorchester, MA. Upon completion of all requirements for her Registered Nurse licensure, she worked in hospitals in Boston and the Merrimack Valley for over 40 years. She provided care in many different settings, including labor and delivery, medical, and surgical care. Louise’s passion was providing compassionate care to patients and families as they neared the end of life. Louise ended her career at the Holy Family Hospital in Methuen in 1994, but continued her medical care when extended family members or friends were in need of ongoing medical care in their home settings. She never hesitated to volunteer to sit with an ailing family member or to offer support in other ways, such as baking meals.
Louise had many other interests during her life, such as baking, knitting, dancing, and travel. She met her future husband, John, at a dance and they continued to dance throughout their 42-year marriage. Baking was a passion that lasted throughout her life with her specialties being homemade bread, Irish Bread, and pies. As an avid knitter, she made sweaters, hats, and gloves for dozens of people with her specialty being Irish Knit Sweaters. She always had an interest in travel, but did most of her travelling after her retirement, with a particular love of cruising and spending time with family at Disney World.
Louise was predeceased by her husband, John, and her grandson, Michael O’Connell.
She will be deeply missed by her children, William O’Connell of Lowell, Richard O’Connell and his wife, Mary Rose of Billerica, Mary Lou Bergeron of Methuen, and Elizabeth Deabay and her husband, Gary of Haverhill; along with four grandsons, Ryan O’Connell and his wife, Kaileen of Billerica, Christopher O’Connell and Kyle and Sean Deabay; three great grandchildren, Michael, Thomas, and Hannah Louise O’Connell; her sister, Patricia Crowley of Danvers; and her sister-in-law, Claire O’Connell of Falmouth. In addition, she is also survived by more than 50 nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend callings on Monday, January 30, 2023, from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street in Methuen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Michael Church, 196 Main Street in North Andover. Burial will follow at St. Mary-Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or to St. Anthony’s Shrine, Attn: Development Office 100 Arch Street Boston, MA 02110. For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the O’Connell Family.
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