Theresa Jane O'Connell

Theresa was born on May 17th 1933 in Manhattan, NY to Patrick and Margaret Herlihy. She grew up on the West Side of Manhattan (“Vinegar Hill”). She attended Annunciation Girls School and graduated from Father Young Academy.

She met the love of her life Maurice O’Connell at Rockaway Beach. They were married in 1955 and relocated to New City in 1959, where they raised their three children.

Theresa taught Irish Step Dancing in Rockland County during the 1960’s and 1970’s. She touched the lives of hundreds of young children in a positive way while instilling them with Irish culture.

She went on to work at Nanuet National Bank for ten years and then at the New City Library for another ten years.

She spent many years volunteering for various organizations including: The Catholic Big Sisters, Jesse Kaplan School, and Claire’s Cove at St. Francis Parish.

In her later years Theresa enjoyed participating in the St. Francis Senior Group, Red Hat Society, and West Nyack Swim Club.

She dedicated her life to her family. Nothing gave her more joy than the successes of her husband, children, and her grandchildren.

She was an extremely loving and generous individual. She loved making people happy and laugh with her numerous stories.

Theresa is survived by her son Daniel (Jane) O’Connell DDS and her two grandchildren Claire and Kyle. She is predeceased by her son Robert, husband Maurice, and daughter Theresa Dwyer.

A visitation for Theresa will be held Sunday, January 9th, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service Inc, 321 S. Main St, New City, NY 10956. A funeral mass will occur Monday, January 10th, 2022 at 10 AM at St. Augustine Church, 140 Maple Ave. New City, NY 10956.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Theresa’s memory to NAMI Rockland.