Mary E. O’Connell, age 82, of Gladstone passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.
Mary was born February 13, 1935 in Escanaba, the daughter of Wilmore and Cecilia (Jacobs) Berglund. She was united in marriage to Harold “Spike” O’Connell on July 2, 1955 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Escanaba. Mom was a hard worker. She approached everything with a calm and can do attitude. Early in Mom and Dad’s marriage, family businesses included the Norway Pines Motel and Spike’s Mini Mart. After selling the businesses, mom chose helping others by working in the health field before retiring at the age of 73, but continued helping with the care of her grandson Mitch. Moms greatest joy was children, especially her grandchildren;with whom she loved to play games. She enjoyed going to camp with her husband of 62 years, spending time going to the casinos and listening to music. The depth of her personality had many layers. She was mischievous in that she was always willing and ready for a good prank. She also had the ability to make others around her feel extremely loved. She was talkative, patient, nurturing, and the guiding light of our family
Mary is survived by her husband; her son, Mike O’Connell of Appleton, WI; her daughters, Cindy (Bruce) Collins of Gladstone and Cheryl (Stephen) Corden of Rapid River; grandchildren, Taylor, Rachel, Matthew, Erica, Jen, Mitch, Brandon, Trisha, Michelle, Chris, Janice, Morgan, Brett and Katie; great grandchildren, Grayson, Mason, Bryce, Braelyn, Isabel, Milo, William and Niko; numerous nieces and nephews and her step-mother, Lucy “Nonnie” Pearce of Pompano Beach, FL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sons, Martin and Patrick, grandson, Jerry Collins, great grandson, Cameron Delveaux and her brother, Steve Berglund.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 13 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Funeral services will follow at 6:00 PM with Pastor Jon Potes officiating. A luncheon will be served following the services at Grace Church in Gladstone.
Colleen Hurkman - Rock, MI
I worked with Mary for quite some time in the home health field. Such a hard worker. Always ready and up to the challenge. I marveled at her strength and stamina while doing her job. And I imagine it was the same with family and friends.
I saw Mary a few weeks back while shopping and am now so grateful I had those brief few moments with her.
My thoughts and prayers to her family and Friends.
Jammie Erin berglund - Clintonville , Wi
Aunt Mary… take care of my dad… may you Rest In Peace… and may you always find your hair curlers.!!! Lol!!! .. I’m sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye… but I hope through this message.. someone from the family will reach out to me and let me back into the family….I just moved back… and I did it for dad… you were a feisty woman… use that to bring us all back together…. you’re an angel now…. you have great gifts… may you Rest In Peace… i love you… love… jammie