Sarah L. O'Connell's Obituary
Sarah L. O’Connell
3/21/1930 – 9/13/2024
Sarah L. O’Connell passed peacefully from this life on September 13, 2024, in the company of her eldest daughter and surrounded by the love and prayers of her family and many friends.
Sarah was born in Atlanta, Georgia and was raised by her grandmother and mother during the Great Depression. Her marriage to David J. O’Connell brought her to his hometown of San Francisco, where they made a home for themselves and their four daughters in Eureka Valley. Their house was open to any family member, friend, or friend-of-a-friend that knocked on the door.
Over the years, Sarah kept up her Georgia friendships, and she and Dave spent many happy vacations visiting. In their retirement years, Sarah and Dave relocated to Marietta; and once again, they made a happy home that was welcoming to all and sometimes, to everyone all at once- her clear preference!
Dave’s passing in 2004 brought Sarah back to the Bay Area to be closer to her daughters, and she settled in Alameda. Eventually she moved into an apartment at Water’s Edge Assisted Living, where she quickly embraced community life and made sure to attend every party and celebrate every holiday. Her door decorations were inspirational. And she didn’t let pandemic restrictions get in the way; she devised a weekly socially distant Happy Hour so she and her friends could stay connected- complete with seasonably appropriate tablecloths, napkins, and paper plates.
Sarah is survived by her devoted daughters Pattie O’Connell-Sass (Gregg), Linda La Fleur, Jeanne Orza (David) and Kerri Johnson (Steve) and her treasured grandchildren Megan, David, and Ian. She cherished her 36 + nieces and nephews and her “Irish cousins”. She was a steadfast friend to 5 generations of the Otterstedt family. She was a dear friend to the residents and staff at Water’s Edge Lodge, who provided expert and loving care for over 10 years.
Sarah lived a long life that she filled with as much love and joy as humanly possible. Our broken hearts are eternally grateful to have had her in our lives.
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the Julia Morgan Chapel at Chapel of the Chimes, Oakland.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday afternoon, September 28, 2024. For more information, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
To honor Sarah’s memory, please consider a donation to Toys for Tots https://www.toysfortots.org/support-us/donate-in-memory-or-in-honor/
Or a (non-deductible) donation to the Water’s Edge Employee Recognition Fund/ 801 Island Drive/ Alameda CA 94502
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