Frances E. O'Neill

WORCESTER / HOLDEN - Frances E. O’Neill (nee Durkee), 97, a longtime Holden resident, died on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at her residence at Notre Dame du Lac Assisted Living Center in Worcester.
Predeceased by her husband of 57 years Charles M. O’Neill, and her son Robert P. O’Neill, she leaves behind a daughter, Dr. Mary F. O’Neill and her husband Dr. Larry Weisman of Wayland; sons Charles M. O’Neill Jr. and his wife Carolyn of Westborough, Joseph W. O’Neill of Framingham, John A. O’Neill of Phoenix, AZ., David F. O’Neill and his wife Christine of Eastham, Thomas P. O’Neill and his wife Pamela of Rockport, and a daughter-in-law Teresa M. O’Neill of West Boylston; 12 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren with an eighth on the way, and many nieces and nephews.

Born in 1925, the daughter of Francis J. and Bertha L. Durkee (Goddard), Frances grew up with her younger brother Billy in Roslindale. She went to Roslindale High School and went on to graduate from Regis College in 1947. She married her husband Charles (Buddy) in 1950, moved to Worcester shortly thereafter and together they focused on raising a family. In 1959, Buddy and Fran moved to Holden.
A wife and a mother first and foremost, Fran’s focus was always on her family. Together with Buddy, she raised seven children. Cooking. Cleaning. Laundry. Ironing. Education. Faith. Values. It kept her busy to say the least. She drew the line when it came to shoveling snow or mowing the lawn – not when she had seven strong, healthy, and capable kids in the house.

Guided by her Christian faith, Fran was an active member of St. George’s Parish in Worcester for more than 50 years. Renewed by her Cursillo and the Life in The Spirit movements, she invested in a deeper understanding of her faith. She was a Mercy Associate, a member and past president of the of St. George's Women Guild, a leader of song at Sunday Mass, and she taught catechism classes for 40 years. Fran was also a member and past president of The Regis Club of Worcester.

Eager to help make her community a better place in which to live, Fran worked as the Director of the Holden Senior Center for 14 years and was a member of The League of Women Voters and a member of the Holden Democratic Town Committee. She taught English as a second language to Spanish immigrants.

Fran loved to read, swim, travel, and given the opportunity, watch the sun set over Cape Cod Bay. Always open to new interests, she learned to drive at the age of 70, dabbled a bit with painting, learned to love playing Bingo, and became an avid Boston Celtics fan at the age of 92.

The family would like to thank Summit Elder Care of Worcester for providing Frances with considerable compassionate and professional care. They would also like to thank the staff and the residents of Notre Dame du Lac for providing her with a loving and caring home for the last 12 years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16th at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 17th at Notre Dame du Lac, 555 Plantation Street, Worcester. Burial to follow at St John’s Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Food for the Poor Program, 20 Temple Street, Worcester, MA 01604.

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