Obituary of Theresa J. O'Connell

Theresa "Tess" (Schmitt) O'Connell, 98 of New Britain, died March 18, 2011 at St. Mary Home in West Hartford. Born in New Britain, the daughter of the late Henry and Magdelina (Staub) Schmitt, she was a life long resident. She was the widow of John T. O'Connell, whom she married June 29, 1938. Having attended local schools, she graduated from Smiths Business College and became a bookkeeper working at the New Britain Machine " Ënbee" Federal Credit Union for 18 years and Acorn Centerless Grinding for three years. She belonged to the Mother's Club at St. Mary's School, participated in the St. Mary's Variety Shows, the Women's Catholic Council, St. John's Guild, the Salvation Army Auxiliary, the RSVP Choral Group, the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, and was past president of the School One Apartments Seniors. In her youth, Tess was a figure skater and won awards. She sang on the radio with the "Girlfriends" Trio (singing group) As a 20 year RSVP member, she was director of the RSVP Choral Group (singing in nursing homes) Mrs. O'Connell is survived by two daughters, Joyce and her husband Joseph R. Valliere of Newburgh, NY, and Rita and her husband P. Richard Garofano of The Villages, Fla. her grandchildren Renee D. Dela Cruz and her husband Randy, Joseph R. Valliere, Jr. and his wife Cindy, Donna M. Sidoti and her husband Richard, Terri A. Amador and her husband Dennis, Jill and her husband Brian Mugee and Beth Garofano; her great grand children Joshua Cuyler, Megan Ferraioli, Nicole Valliere, Mia Amador and Alexander Dela Cruz and several nieces and nephews. She was pre deceased by her brothers, Fred, George (Bosh) Severin, Leonard and Frank Schmitt, her sisters Anne Schmitt, Emma Donahue, Margaret Clark and Madeline Mayer. Funeral services will be held Monday July 18, 2011with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. at St Mary Home 2021 Albany Ave. West Hartford. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain.Iin lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary Home, 2021 Albany Ave. West Hartford, Conn 06117.