Miriam Marie O'Connell

Miriam M. O’Connell, 90, of Geneva, IL, passed away on Monday, October 18, 2021, surrounded by her loving family at Greenfields of Geneva.  Miriam was born on September 12, 1931, the daughter of Raymond and Mable (nee. Persels) McKean.  Miriam and John O’Connell shared a love story that spanned decades; together for 70 years, married December 6, 1953, in Armstrong, IA.

Miriam is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, John J. O’Connell; her four children, Michael O’Connell [Des Moines, IA], John O’Connell Jr. [Sycamore, IL], Glenn (Michelle) O’Connell [Bondurant, IA], and Linda (Darren) Knuth [Genoa, IL]; her six grandchildren, Joseph (Jim Giusto) O’Connell [Schaumburg, IL], Murphy O’Connell [Des Moines, IA], Morgan (Alex) Campbell [Elkhart, IA], Griffin O’Connell [Packwood, IA], Laura (Cole) Regnery [Sycamore, IL], and Samuel Knuth [Genoa, IL]; two great grandchildren, Sophie and Sawyer Campbell; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Lowell McKean; and her two sisters, Fern Kuhn and Doris Stoner.

Miriam was born on the family farm in Maple Hill, Iowa, the youngest of four children. She grew up dreaming of helping people as a nurse. She attended Iowa State College for a year, where she met the love of her life, before moving on to Nurse’s Training at Iowa Methodist. She served as a nurse during the Polio epidemic.

John and Miriam married in 1953 and spent their first years as newlyweds in Hawaii, where they made lifelong friends. Miriam was known as a gracious hostess; cultivating a warm, loving home filled with laughter, delicious baked goods and home-grown produce to all who entered. Strong and supportive mother to four children, Miriam ran a tight ship even when Captain John was flying elsewhere. Miriam attended countless wrestling, baseball, football, and 4H events, led Girl Scout troops, and directed Vacation Bible School.

John and Miriam shared 30 years of retirement traveling the world. When she was not globetrotting, Miriam enjoyed researching her family history, volunteered as the Meals on Wheels coordinator, and was an active member of the UMW Esther Circle at Sycamore United Methodist Church. She was ahead of her time in technological prowess. She passed her love of computers, baking, and savoring expensive chocolates down to her six grandchildren. She continued her avid support of all sporting and extracurricular activities.

Miriam had an amazing wit and a great sense of humor that was passed on to her children and grandchildren. Her smile and loving nature will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A memorial visitation will be held from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Moss-Norris Funeral Home 100 S 3^rd Street St. Charles, IL 60174.  Interment will be held privately at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in honor of Miriam to: Meals on Wheels; 1606 Bethany Road, Sycamore, IL 60178 or St. Labre Indian School; P.O. Box 216, Ashland, MT 59003-9989.