Dorothy O'Nell

Dottie embraced many roles throughout her life. She was a beloved daughter and sister, a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and loyal friend. She led by example with kindness, wisdom, generosity, and unconditional love.

Following graduation from St. Vincent's School of Nursing, Dottie answered her calling as a registered nurse, dedicating her career to caring for others with exceptional skill, patience, and compassion as a cardiac Nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital. She married Carl Dobmeier, and they built a loving home, raised their three sons, and shared 37 wonderful years of marriage in Wallingford, CT, before Carl's passing. Caring for others was simply who Dottie was. Whether tending to a patient, comforting a friend, or supporting a family member, she gave of herself wholeheartedly and without hesitation.

Dottie was involved with her community and was one of the original nurses who started the Nurses Union at Wallingford Meriden Hospital fighting for fairer pay and treatment of nurses in the 1970’s. In Old Saybrook, she was most proud of being a member of the “Weed Whackers”, a small group of volunteers, who help beautify Main St.

Her faith in God and her love for family was the foundation of her life. Fearless and resilient, Dottie would immediately jump into help in any crisis situation without thought or care for her own safety. She was always ready with a helping hand, a home-cooked meal, thoughtful advice, or a listening ear. Her fearlessness was often a worry for her family after Carl’s passing as she would drive solo for 10 hours to visit her family in Virginia, or travel in the worst blizzard of the decade to visit her family in New Hampshire despite all warning from her sons.

Later in life, Dottie found love again with Barry O'Nell. Together they shared a life filled with faith, laughter, friendship, and unwavering devotion. Barry cherished every day and often could be heard telling her, "I will love you always and forever."

To her grandchildren, Dottie was simply "Grandma." They will forever remember "Grandma's world-famous mac and cheese”, the irresistible aroma of her homemade bread fresh from the oven, and the warmth that always filled her kitchen. Extremely competitive, she was an avid tennis player and golfer; never one to sit on the sidelines. Whether competing on the court, enjoying a round of golf, or being the first to tackle the zipline at Brownstone Adventure Sports Park with her grandchildren, Dottie embraced every adventure with enthusiasm. She taught her family that life was meant to be lived fully, laughed through often, and shared with the people you love.

Dottie was true to her friends and would always be there if needed. She was humble and wanted little credit for all she did as it just came naturally for her. She was pleasantly surprised when her good friends named their boat “The Dottie O”. She would say, “I never expected to have a boat named for me.”

Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Helen Mencel; her brother, Robert Mencel; and her first husband, Carl Dobmeier.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Barry O'Nell; her sons, Tim and wife Molly, Stephen and wife Ginny, and Karl Michael; her stepsons, Kevin and wife Jenna, Chris and wife Christy, James and wife Amanda, and Ryan and wife Katie: her stepdaughter, Lindsay and husband Graham; her 17 grandchildren; her great-granddaughter; and many extended family members and friends.

While her family mourns her passing, they celebrate a life beautifully lived—one defined by faith, service, courage, generosity, and love. Dottie's legacy will live on through the family she cherished, the lives she touched as a nurse and a friend, and the example she set for everyone was fortunate enough to have known her.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Dottie's life during visiting hours at Swan Funeral Home on Friday, August 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church in Old Saybrook. There will be a private burial at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Dottie's honor to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4550 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 1100 N, Bethesda, MD 20814, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Gifts to either organization will honor Dottie's lifelong commitment to caring for others and helping those in need.

The staff at Bride Brook Rehab in Niantic, CT, who cared for Dottie for the past 5 months should be commended for their encouragement to her rehab and for her tender care in her final days.

DOTTIE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED, FOREVER LOVED AND ALWAYS REMEMBERED.