Mary B. O'Neill

Known in her youth as 'the prettiest girl at the New Jersey shore', Mary Barkhorn O'Neill was an award-winning artist, keen bridge player and competitive athlete. But it was her devotion to her family and her wide circle of friends that most clearly defined her life. Mary died in Port St Lucie, FL, on April 29th.

Born in 1923 to Catherine and Charles Barkhorn in Newark, NJ, Mary, her sister Jeanne and brothers John, William, and Edward grew up in a busy household in South Orange. She attended Columbia High School where she made friends who would remain close to her through the next seven plus decades. During World War II, she met Thomas J. (Tim) O'Neill, and, in 1946, they were married.

As a young bride, she followed her husband to Rhode Island where he completed his degree at Brown University and then to Kansas and North Carolina, where he served with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They had two children, Martha and Thomas P. (Tommy) before moving back to New Jersey where Tim spent his career practicing corporate law.

When her children entered school, Mary turned her attention to the arts, particularly sculpting and painting. An avid golfer as well as an accomplished tennis and paddle-tennis player, Mary also found time to volunteer at Overlook Hospital and with other community organizations.

After 30 years in Summit, NJ, and with their children grown and busy with their own careers and families, Mary and Tim retired to Florida. They lived in Palm City, where they spent many happy years making new friends, entertaining their extended families and enjoying the activities that Mary had spent so many years developing.

Mary was predeceased by her husband and son. She leaves behind her daughter Martha, son-in-law Thomas (Lindeman), daughter-in-law Sally O'Neill (Nestler), her grandchildren Sara (Bresee) and Eric Lindeman, and Meagan (Kelly) and Travis O'Neill, and two great grandchildren, as well as her brother Edward. A celebration of life will be held in Palm City in May.