Patricia Pat"" Elizabeth O'Connell

Our sister Patricia ""Pat"" Elizabeth O'Connell joined with the Lord and our parents in heaven on Thursday, January 22, 2015. Born November 12, 1949 in Hartford Pat was the oldest of five children and the only girl of the O'Connell children. Pat is remembered by her family for the care and love given to her mother for many years, living together in the McMullen Ave house in Wethersfield.Pat was a gifted teacher and spent her career in the Litchfield county schools retiring from Regional District 12 after 35 years. Throughout her life Pat held her Catholic faith as a center point to life. She was active in many facets of the church community including choir, Eucharistic Ministry, the associated food pantry and membership on many other committees. Pat accomplished these activities both at St. Luke Catholic Church in Hartford and her home church in Jensen Beach, Florida, St. Martin de Porres.Pat's love of life was seen through the years spent with her family. She leaves her brothers, their wives and nieces and nephews: John and Meredith of New Mexico, Dan and Paula of Wethersfield and their children Sarah and Dave Kline and Stephanie; Henry and Kay of Utah and their children Caitlyn and Eric Brooksby, Patrick and Kennan O'Connell, Megan and Gentry Davies, Rachel and Ethan; Jim and Enza of Middletown and their children Mary-Eleonor Walsh and her daughter, Gianna, Pat's grandniece, as well as Jim Jr. and Lili of Virginia. Pat joined in heaven our parents John and Mary (Cody) O'Connell and nephew Liam.Throughout the years, Pat shared her life with her cats. For a time Pat and mom had four cats to love. She always believed in helping with her local humane society, where she adopted her kittens. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local food pantry or your local humane society. This is what Pat would want and we are going to honor her wish.Calling hours are Friday (January 30, 2015) at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. St. Luke Catholic Church, 66 Bolton Street, Hartford. The burial will be private at a later date. For on line expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com