Mary O'Neil Ward

Mary O’Neil Ward, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2023 at the age of 89. She will be remembered as a kind and loving person who had a passion for life, learning and nature.

Born in Pelham, NY on June 29, 1933, Mary was the third child of John J. O’Neil and Miriam Dillon. As a child, she developed a love for the water and spent many days at the beach. She graduated from Pelham High School and went on to graduate from Brown University Class of 1954 and then on to raise six children.

In her free time, Mary enjoyed kayaking, painting, reading and dancing. She was a talented artist and her paintings often depicted her favorite scenes from her travels to Block Island and Maine. She was also an avid reader and always had a book in her hand and her sewing machine ready to go!

Mary is survived by her 5 children: Michael Fines of Hickory, North Carolina, Jeanne Keimig of Amesbury, Massachusetts, Robert Fines of Marco Island, Florida, William Fines III of Georgetown, Maine, and Mary Fines of Cooperstown, New York. Laurie Fines of Rhode Island predeceased Mary by 8 years. In addition to her children, Mary has 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Mary is predeceased by her sisters Betty Kearney and Jean Arnau and her late husband John Ward. Her surviving brother James E. O’Neil resides in Narragansett Rhode Island. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Holy Family Church in Amesbury, Massachusetts at 10am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Doctors Without Borders, www.doctorswithoutborders.org in Mary’s name.