Joann C. (Collins) O'Connell

Joann C O’Connell, 89, formerly of Ovid, passed away Saturday, November 5, 2022 following a lengthy illness.

She was born in Kingston, NY on August 24, 1933 to W. Leonard and Anne (nee Lawson) Collins. Raised in Bloomingburg, NY, Joann graduated from Middletown High School and went on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Keuka College in 1955. Joann was a Seneca County Public Health Nurse, a registered nurse employed by the Willard Psychiatric Center, and later joined the faculty of Romulus Central School as their school nurse and health teacher for thirty years until her retirement from the district in 1988. Joann and her (late) husband Paul A O’Connell, Jr. were united in marriage in October of 1955, and made their home in Ovid, NY. They lovingly restored their home of many years on West Seneca Street, raising their children, often welcoming friends and family to share in both holiday and everyday celebrations. Deeply committed to community involvement, Joann was a member of the Seneca County Youth Bureau, a trustee of the Romulus Foundation for Educational Opportunities, a member and trustee of the Ovid Federated Church, as well as a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International; she frequently volunteered for the American Cancer Society and the Red Cross. In 2008, Joann moved to Oneida, NY and became involved with its Zonta Club, joined the Oneida Area Civic Chorale, and became a member and part of the board of trustees at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Joann is survived by her daughter, Cindy O’Connell DeBottis, grandchildren Brian DeBottis, Molly (Ryan) Bernstein, Hannah O’Connell, Madeleine O’Connell, Kevin DeBottis, Shannon DeBottis, and Finn O’Connell, former daughter in law Judy Metz, sister in law Shirley (Roger) Clemenson, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, son M. Craig O’Connell, infant daughter Alicia Anne, infant son Paul A. O’Connell, III, sisters in law and their husbands, Christine (Leigh) Walpole, and Alice Eileen (Jack) Marnell.

The family will receive friends at The Ovid Federated Church in Ovid at 11:00 am until Noon on Saturday, November 12, 2022, with funeral services officiated by Reverend Rob Mellgard at Noon, and internment at the Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Friends of the Three Bears, Ovid, New York.

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