Mary Ellen (Grady) O'Neil

Mary Ellen Grady O'Neil, age 83, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at her home surrounded by family after suffering from cancer. She was born in San Francisco and is survived by her twin sister, Ruth Skewis; her children, Jack O'Neil (Nancy), Mary Ann Hanson (Niles), Tom O'Neil (Donel), Joseph O'Neil and Paul O'Neil (Andrew Loesel); her grandchildren Meghan, Aaron and Hannah O'Neil, Katy and Charlie Orchid, Jane O'Neil and Nevin O'Neil; her great-grandson Daniel; her nephews Greg Skewis (Rose), Chuck Skewis (Danise); grandniece Chloe Skewis; grandnephews Andy Skewis (Andrea) and Brian Skewis; and nephew John Whitbred (Georgette). She was preceded in death by her husband, Matthew O'Neil, Jr. Mary Ellen was born into the Grady family and was a 4th generation San Franciscan. Mary Ellen attended St. James Catholic School and Immaculate Conception Academy in San Francisco where she played basketball, graduating in 1947. Mary Ellen married Matt O'Neil in 1949 and first lived in San Francisco, but relocated to San Mateo in 1953. In 1966, the family moved to Sacramento. She was the Personnel Administrator at her sons' alma mater, Jesuit High School, where she worked for 21 years and is still remembered fondly. Mary Ellen was proud of her children and grandchildren and took great interest in their education, travel and career pursuits. She traveled in the Northwestern U.S., Western Canada, New England, New York, and New Orleans and enjoyed a trip to Ireland with her children and grandchildren in 2007. Mary Ellen was a huge fan of the NASA space program and witnessed a Saturn rocket launch at Cape Kennedy. Mary Ellen's interests included genealogy and family history. Mary Ellen was universally respected and enjoyed by her children's friends and retained a deep interest in learning and improving herself intellectually and spiritually. Family and friends are invited to attend a Rosary at W.F. Gormley and Sons at 2015 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento on Thursday, June 28, 7:00 PM; visitation from 1:00-7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Carmichael on Friday, June 29, at 11:00 AM. Private committal will be at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial gifts can be made in Mary Ellen Grady O'Neil's name (Class of 1947) to Immaculate Conception Academy, 3625-24th St. San Francisco, CA 94110.