Ellen (Eckberg) O'Connell

Ellen (Eckberg) O’Connell died on February 26, 2026, at Bethany Home of Rhode Island at the age of 96. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 55 years, Robert F. O’Connell. Born in Boston, MA, in 1929, she was the daughter of Beatrice Josephson and Adrian Eckberg and sister of Frances Lowell and the late Joan Eckberg and half-sister of Adrianne Hess and Adrian (Ted) Eckberg, Jr.

She graduated from Danbury High School in Connecticut and spent two years at the University of Connecticut before moving to Boston. She held secretarial positions at the Office of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts in Boston and MIT, where she met Bob. They married in1955 and raised their three daughters in Lexington, MA. When her children were grown, she embarked on a brief career as a real estate agent. Ellen and Bob spent their retirement years in South Dennis on Cape Cod.

Ellen was a devoted mother who participated in the PTA, METCO, and extracurricular activities such as Girl Scout Brownies and 4-H. She was a devout Episcopalian who dedicated time to her church communities in Lexington at Church of Our Redeemer and in South Yarmouth at Saint David’s Episcopal Church. She enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Lexington Field & Garden Club and the Village Garden Club of Dennis. She was an avid bridge player, having been taught the game by her mother, and enjoyed playing with her family and various clubs.

Ellen leaves three daughters, Katharine O’Connell (Joseph Antonio) of No. Providence, RI, Lynne O’Connell (R. Lynn Rardin) of Watertown, MA, and Carol O’Connell (Kent Stauffer) of Hudson, OH, and three grandchildren, Louisa and Samuel Antonio, and Kieran Stauffer.

Visitation will be held at Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 729 Route 134, South Dennis, MA, on March 4, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. A funeral service will take place at Saint David’s Episcopal Church, 205 Old Main St., South Yarmouth, MA 02664, on March 4, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

Interment will immediately follow the service at Oak Ridge Cemetery, 850 Route 134, South Dennis, MA, on March 4, 2026. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made for the St. David’s pipe organ using the link below (specify Pipe Organ Fund in the Comments field).

Link for donation: https://stdavidscapecod.breezechms.com/give/online