Joan F. (Collins) O'Connell

The family of Joan F. O'Connell (Natick) announces her physical departure from their lives with much sadness and endless gratitude and appreciation for the essence of the resiliency and determination Joan quietly demonstrated throughout her life. Joan’s adoring daughter, Mary O’Connell, and three thoughtful sons, Daniel O’Connell (Romney) (Berkley, CA), Donald O’Connell (Waltham), and Christopher O’Connell (Natick), will miss their mother’s strength, fortitude, and patience as she enjoys some well-deserved peace, freedom, and finally, great joy around the reunification with her departed loved ones whom she had missed so much. Her tired mind and body were ready to go Home. 

Joan, the proud and devoted daughter of Agnes Collins (Corish) and William Collins, passed peacefully on the afternoon of April 6th, 2024, enveloped by the supportive energy and passionate spirit of her loved ones. Joan came to America in 1947 and officially became a U.S. citizen through a meaningful and memorable sponsorship on July 22nd,1952.

Joan was born on April 22nd,1930, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, where she spent her formative years in her beloved childhood home with her cherished siblings, Corrine, Gwen, William, and Jean. Joan was very proud that her birth date later became recognized as Earth Day. She was a long-time recycler and protector of our planet long before it became a popular endeavor. On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020, in the earliest stages of the COVID pandemic, Joan turned 90 years young. With the assistance of her family, neighbors, and the remarkable kindnesses of strangers and fine Natick citizens, the nonagenarian had one of the most memorable, enjoyable, and life-changing birthdays of her lifetime. The drive by celebration and card drop-off initiative was a huge success!! During that tenuous time, she received hundreds of cards, many gifts, and generous offerings. Joan, a resourceful, humble, and stoic person, was overwhelmed with great joy for the outreach and love she was shown on that day in Natick, the place she called home for almost 60 years. 

Joan, the beloved wife of the late Daniel Edward O’Connell Jr, was widowed young and unexpectedly thrust into being a single parent with four active and engaging children to raise. With the assistance of her parents and other helpful family members and the occasional caring hands of her Oak Knoll neighbors, Joan survived, thrived, and successfully managed to do her best for her developing children, who were devastated by the loss of their Dad. During these complex and challenging times, Joan relied upon her hearty PEI upbringing and her intrinsic motivation to maintain and provide a home, a play yard, and a neighborhood for her kids to grow up in and feel secure. Joan was the proud and endearing mother to Mary, with whom she had a symbiotic connection. Her oldest child was born with special needs and was a member of one of the first inclusion programs in Natick. Joan cherished that Mary could be integrated and included with her typical peers, which was groundbreaking in those days. Her sons, Michael (Dan), Donnie, and Chris, kept her entertained and busy as they forged onward, investing their time and energies into their passions and varying pursuits. Each of her children supported their mom in their unique and distinct styles, and she appreciated them for their individual contributions to her motherhood and long life.

Joan’s self-reliant and determined manner and her private but strong faith kept her afloat. Her resilience sustained her will to work so that she could pay her bills, own a car, and eventually pay off her mortgage - a prideful and celebratory achievement.  During her years of employment at Sears and later at Service Merchandise, she assisted others in the Customer Service departments of these establishments. Her colleagues acknowledged Joan for her loyalty, work ethic, and serious commitment to whatever she set out to accomplish or perform. Although only earning a high school education, this well-read mom held a “Ph.D.” in life’s teachings and unexpected happenings. Joan’s life experiences shaped her outlook, diligence, and grit. These acquired attributes helped her incorporate Henry David Thoreau’s philosophy to “live simply” and contently with nature and all that surrounds you in the quiet of the day. She was the prototypical strong single mother who proved that she could get knocked down but would get up again, over and over. She wore no cape and sought no limelight but was viewed by some as a quiet, respected, imperfect, powerful superhero.

Joan avidly read many genres, particularly mysteries and occasionally juicy romantic novels. She fondly listened to her favorite musicians and enjoyed attending live performances. In her retirement, she joined the Goldenaires singing group, relished the camaraderie, and spent valuable time at the Natick Senior Center. Joan was a dancer and enjoyed parties, sewing, making puzzles, being with her sons, and attending various celebrations at Mary’s group home. She found bowling an outlet for exercise, friendly challenges, and a reliable source of friendships and fun. Joan cherished her times with Gwennie and Joe and loved dressing up to attend Suzanne’s many family gatherings. She loved and looked forward to her generously provided trips to California. Joan found solace and relaxation in her sanctuary-like backyard and joy in watching the many birds and animals filling her majestic trees. Joan was known for watching scary movies, drinking her morning coffee all day, and talking to family and friends on the phone. As a “101 lbs of fun,” she enjoyed pizza and banana bread and loved her Diary Queen sundaes. Joan was an adventuresome traveler in her car and was so disappointed when she had to give up her privilege of possessing a driver’s license. Joan insisted on being independent. She required very little and asked for nothing. While quietly comfortable in her solitude, Joan loved having visitors and keeping company with others at her home. She loved to indulge in a good meal at Ken’s Steak House, supported Liberty’s Pizza in Wayland for years, and enjoyed making her traditional holiday and birthday meals for others. Joan was brave, content, and accepting of circumstances beyond her control. She was proud to vote, attend Saint Patrick’s Day festivities sponsored by the Natick Rotary Club, and spend quality time with her grandchildren when those precious opportunities arose. Joan was also a proud supporter of Woodtrail Camp, and she delighted in attending their annual carnival.

Joan was the proud grandmother of Soren, Una, Kaj, and Debbie. She loved her grandchildren and marveled at their skills, talents, and intellect. She appreciated their company, photographs, and stories. Joan is survived by her sister-in-law Karen O’Brien and by her nieces and nephews, Suzanne Conti (Rick), Joe Paulini (Kathy), Beth Shilo (Steve), William Paulini, Kimmy Collins, and Scott Collins. Her niece, Gwen Brennan, predeceased Joan.

The family appreciates the love, care, and attention that Chris, K & T, Meals on Wheels, the Natick Senior Center, the Veterans’ group of Natick, and her neighbors provided for Joan when she began to slow down and needed more assistance. Joan often reminded others that she could do things for herself - even when she could not - and she never lost her independent spirit and tenacity.

The O’Connell family cordially invites relatives, friends, and supporters to attend a Celebration and Remembrance of Joan’s 94 years at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street in Natick. Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, May 11th, from 11:00 - 11:30, followed by a funeral home service. Interment will be private at a later date. For guest book, please visit www.everettfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be considered for the Morse Institute Library’s Bookmobile program (please indicate Bookmobile) in memory of Joan’s advocacy for affordable and accessible reading materials for all.     

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