In Memoriam Adelaide M. O'Connell

Adelaide M. O'Connell, a former resident of Garden City, died on August 12th at her home in Cutchogue. She was 91.

Mrs. O'Connell was born in New York City on March 10, 1916 to Joseph John Nagro and Kathryn Gaynor. She was a graduate of Hempstead High School.

Mrs. O'Connell was a well-known local artist in Garden City and was very active in St. Joseph's parish. She resided in Cutchogue for more than 20 years, where she grew to enjoy the beauty of the North Fork, and with her paintbrush was able to capture some of it in her paintings. Mrs. O'Connell was a generous supporter of local philanthropic events and her art helped raise funds for such causes as East End Hospice and Eastern L.I. Hospital.

As an oil and watercolor artist, she studied under such prestigious painters as Marion Brown, Ed Whitney, George Jack and Daniel Stone. Her work was featured in one-woman shows in Garden City, Locust Valley, Kew Gardens and Southold. She has received awards in various shows in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Her work resides in private collections throughout the United States, England, Belgium and Portugal.

Until recently she was actively painting, playing bridge and going to yard sales. She always enjoyed her many friends and was grateful for them.

She is predeceased by her husband Francis J. O'Connell in 2002. She is survived by her children Chris (and wife Sheila) of Florida and Gay Lavonas (Scott) of Neutonville, NY; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, one deceased.

A Funeral Mass was said on August 16th at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Mattituck. Interment followed in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cutchogue. Arrangements were handled by the William F. Coster Funeral Home in Cutchogue.

Memorials may be sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 19th Floor, 120 Wall Street, NY, NY 10005.