Susan A O'Connell

Susan Ann (Sue) O’Connell, age 69, of Rockland, died July 27 2024 at the Pat Roche Hospice House in Hingham surrounded by family after a brave battle with cancer.

Born March 30, 1955, Susan was 1 of 9 children to Patricia (Moran) O’Neill Comeau and the late Joseph J. O’Neill. Sue grew up in the Williston Park neighborhood on Long Island, NY. During her junior year in high school her family relocated to Braintree, Massachusetts. She moved to Quincy, MA after graduating high school and met her husband, John O’Connell while attending Blue Hills Technical Institute. They eventually would permanently reside in Rockland Massachusetts for her remaining years.

Sue knew a lot about car mechanics from her time working as a detailer at Foreign Auto on Castle Island. She also worked in the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston for several years before joining the Local 4 Elevator Constructors Union of Boston, being one of only a few women in the entire Massachusetts union at the time. The job she loved doing the most was working as a horticulturist where she learned about and cared for many customers assortment of plants, flowers, up until her retirement. This gave her the passion to do her own gardening as well as planting her favorite flowers throughout the yard which was full of roses, blueberries, and raspberries to name a few. She also grew a mean vegetable garden where her favorite thing to grow was HOT peppers, where she invited many to “just take a bite”!

Sue was a fierce competitor and excellent athlete excelling on several club softball teams as well as a sweet jump shot in basketball. One thing for sure was you had to earn a victory off her, as she was not one to hand over a win easily, especially while playing cards, cribbage, or backgammon. She was a fan of the New England Patriots (because of Tom Brady), but she stuck to her roots and was a devoted New York Yankees fan, which caused many playful squabbles at family gatherings. 

Sue was preceded in death by her father Joseph J. O’Neill, her stepfather Andrew J. Comeau, her brother Joseph T. O’Neill and her son Sean C. O’Connell. She is survived by her mother Patricia (Moran) O’Neill Comeau of Quincy, her loving husband of 46 years John O’Connell and her two sons Michael and Kevin O’Connell (all of Rockland). She was the loving “Grammy” to her pride and joy grandson Sean Patrick O’Connell, (Rockland). Her 8 siblings Kathy (O’Neill) Smith of Dorchester, Bobbie (O’Neill) Michalek of Plymouth, Patsy O’Neill of Braintree, Jimmy O’Neill of Braintree, Timmy O’Neill of Chelsea, Terry O’Neill of Milton, and Chrissy Comeau of Quincy. Also lovingly survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She will be dearly missed by all but especially her yellow labrador dog named “Coolie”.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Wednesday 4-7 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home at 809 Main Street, South Weymouth, MA (Rt 18 opposite South Shore Hospital). The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday at 9 AM in Holy Family Church, Rockland. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:

NVNA and Hospice Charitable Fund 120 Longwater Dr Norwell, MA 02061