O’connell, Patricia Ann

Patricia Ann O'connell, 71, of Sandwich, MA, formerly of Hebron, CT, Newington, CT, passed away Monday, August 23, 2021, in Brighton, MA.

Pat was born on December 27, 1949, in Darby, PA, to the late James Murphy and Margaret (Nichol) Murphy. A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserves, she spent 25 years as a registered dietician and certified diabetes educator, primarily at Hartford Hospital and the Joslin Diabetes Center at New Britain General Hospital, a career that

channeled her life-long dedication to helping others. She took pride in service to the community with numerous organizations, especially the church. Pat was a devoted member of the Church of the Holy Family in Hebron, CT, St. Elizabeth Seton in Rocky Hill, CT, and Our Lady of Victory in Centerville, MA.

Pat received the greatest joy in time spent with her family, particularly her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her son, Stephen and his wife Margaret, of Little Rock, AR; son Justin and his wife Danielle, of Dover, MA; daughter Kristen, of Colchester, England; grandchildren Charles, Samantha, Evangeline, and Charlotte; siblings Sheila Burns and her husband Charles of Wyoming, PA, Noreen Gaynor and her husband Ed of Concordville, PA, Annette Hamilton and her husband Ken of Pottstown, PA, James Murphy and his wife Jane of Chicago, IL, and Bob Murphy and his partner Ted of Allentown, PA; 11 nieces and nephews; her long-time companion Alan Budney of Sandwich, MA; Rachel (Matt Chant) Budney Poulin and family of Rocky Hill, CT; Justin Budney of Burlington, VT; and Alex (Colleen) Budney of North Fayston, VT. She is preceded in death by her sister, Margie.

Pat wished to thank all of the angels in her life that prayed and fought for her during her battle with ALS. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11AM on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at Our Lady of Victory, 230 South Main Street, Centerville, MA; burial to follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to any of the following:

Paralyzed Veterans of America,801

Washington, DC 20006 pva.org,

American Diabetes Association,2451 Crystal Dr, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202 diabetes.org/donate, Greenallies,1794 Gilbertsville Rd, Pottstown, PA 19464

Green-allies.org, ALS Association

Chapter, 685 Canton St, Suite 103

Norwood, MA 02062, als.org

For online guestbook & directions, visit www.chapmanfuneral.com.

Please sign guestbook at courant.com/obituaries