Mary "Marie" O'Donnell

Born in Belfast, Ireland on 1/31/1934, she was the oldest of seven born to David and Elizabeth McConnell. Being Catholic in the Short Strand of East Belfast meant 2 things-Accept the second class status of the British State or do what millions of Irish have done down through the years and emigrate to America.

In the 1957 she and a friend left for America, finding work in the service industry, first in Newport RI, onto Kearney NJ and finally to married life and raising a family in Yonkers , NY. It was in Yonkers where she met her loving husband of 56 years, Edward O’Donnell - Himself an Immigrant from Europe, hailing from Greenock, Scotland.

Marie never forgot her native land and it’s historic fight to end British Rule in Ireland. She could be found many weekends protesting with Irish Northern Aid in front of the British Consulate: whether it be in support of the 1981 Hunger Strikers (Fittingly, the first of 10 Hunger Strikers Bobby Sands was married to Mary’s niece Geraldine Noade) or to urge the banning of plastic bullets

When not involved in politics , Marie enjoyed music and dancing at various Irish Association Dances at her parish of Christ the King, New Year’s Eve dance was of particular importance (being married to a native son of Scotland made New Year’s Eve a must do ). A devout Catholic, Mary never missed Mass and made sure we kids never missed Mass.

Mary is survived by families on both sides of the pond. Sisters,Teresa and Ann in Ireland in addition to many nieces and nephews. On this side of Atlantic, she is survived by sons Edward (Irene) and Sean (Nancy) and her grandchildren Kelly(Cole) Ryan, Katie, Erin(Ryan) and Nicole, Jack , Sean and recently she welcomed the arrival of her great granddaughter Carson. She is also survived by her best friend, Myra Rooney. She is predeceased by her husband Eddie, her daughter Lisa and brothers David, Patrick, Sean and Bobby McConnell.

Visiting hours for Mary will be held Monday, June 9, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10703. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Christ the King Church, 740 N. Broadway, Yonkers, N.Y. 10701 on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, 50 Jackson Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706.