Marian L. O'Neil

Marian L. O’Neil, who left this life on August 19, 2018, was born in Mishawaka on March 24, 1916 to Winifred (Atkinson) Wurz and Arthur Franklin Wurz. Both are deceased as is her brother, Nelson. After M.H.S. graduation in 1933 she attended Indiana University for two yearsand began her working career at the Wheelabrator Corp. office for five years.

On February 20, 1941 she married Wilbert D. O’Neil in St. Joseph Church where both were lifelong members. He passed away in January 2000. Their children are Dennis Michael O’Neil of Lake Oswego, OR and Patrice Claire Little of Boulder, CO. Dennis and his wife, Barbara, gave Marian three granddaughters, Shelly Haugh and Christy Shaver, and Laura O’Neil. Shelly and Christy have given Marian four great-grandsons: Gavin, Colin, James, and Trevor, and a great granddaughter, Crissan. She was also close to her sister-in-law, Dorothy Wurz and her family: Gregory, Judy, Barbara, and William.

Marian loved her family and home life but also cherished memories of working for the Saint Mary’s College Library for 18 years as a secretarial assistant to Sr. Rita Claire C.S.C., head librarian.

Marian always felt that her most important accomplishment was completing studies to receive her B.A. degree in English Literature in 1977 while working at Saint Mary’s College. She was vitally interested in the arts and in writing, having studied journalism at I.U. She wrote several articles for the Tribune over the years.

Besides belonging to St. Joseph Church and its Rosary Society, Marian was an officer of the Women’s Art League of South Bend and active in the Hibernians, the K of C auxiliary, and the St. Mary’s Alumnae Club. She was also active in Camp Fire when her daughter was young. She enjoyed bridge and book groups to the end of her life.

Marian liked cooking and sewing, especially by making accessories for her home from remnants given by her brother, Nelson, who created custom drapery and upholstery in Washington D.C. for 50 years. Barbara Ageropolos, Mary Lou Brockway, and Velva Brackett all kept her going until her death even though she was slowed down by the effects of a stroke in 2004.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

A graveside committal service will be held at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, September 19, in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Mishawaka, with Rev. Christopher Lapp officiating.

Local arrangements are by Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, Mishawaka.