Agnes E. (Eick) O'Donnell

Change in time of Funeral Mass and Reception: Funeral Mass at St. Ann Church Wayland at 11:30 am on February 24, 2025. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, in Wayland. Additional visiting hours on Monday February 24 from 1:30-4 pm and 6-8 pm, and Tuesday February 25 from 6-8 pm at the home of Amy and Nick O’Donnell, 10 Linn Lane, Wayland. 

Agnes Eick O’Donnell, of Wayland, Massachusetts. Devoted mother of Aaron O’Donnell and his wife Susy of Fullerton, California and Nicholas O’Donnell and his wife Amy of Wayland,
Massachusetts, cherished grandmother of Joseph, Erica, Megan, Bridget, Zachary, Ava, and Averiana O’Donnell. Beloved sister of Catherine Bueche, Elizabeth Greene, and Edward Eick,and of the late Mary Eick and Martha Landgren.

Born in Cincinnati, the fifth of six children of Edward and Helen Eick. Agnes grew up in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan. After graduating from Aquinas College in 1959, she went on to Marquette University where she earned a master's degree in English and History. Her Milwaukee friends were lifelong. She traveled to Europe and spoke of her experiences there for the rest of her life. In 1962, she moved to Boston to teach at Boston University, and later at UMass Boston. She helped start an alternative school in Penacook, New Hampshire. Regardless of what job she had, she would always say she was a teacher.

A lifelong artist, she particularly loved watercolor and was blocking out new compositions even in the last week. An accomplished photographer, she reveled in being in nature. Every day she would think about how the light fell. She loved music of many kinds.

Her real passion was her family. She devoted everything to raising her two sons in Newton, and never missed a play, concert, or regatta. Her greatest joy as the years went on was their families. She doted on each of her seven grandchildren and never stopped connecting with them about their own interests and activities. A gift from Grandma was always something thoughtful and unique.

Agnes will be remembered as unfailingly kind, forever curious, and thoroughly sensible. Everything began and ended with family for her, and her family will remember her forever.

Visting hours will be at John Everett & Sons in Natick on February 23, 2025, from 3-5 pm. Funeral Mass at St. Ann Church Wayland at 11:30 am on February 24, 2025. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, in Wayland. Additional visiting hours on Monday February 24 from 1:30-4 pm and 6-8 pm, and Tuesday February 25 from 6-8 pm at the home of Amy and Nick O’Donnell, 10 Linn Lane, Wayland. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Francis House of Boston.