Barbara O’Connell

Old Lyme — “Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are all in harmony,” said Mahatma Gandhi. These words describe the life of Barbara (Belknap) O'Connell of Old Lyme, who left us on Friday, May 19, 2017, surrounded by family.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Daniel Francis O'Connell; a son, Jeff O'Connell of Essex; a daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Marc Brodeur of Old Saybrook; five grandchildren, Hayley, Will, Luke, Anna and Ryan Brodeur; brother and sisterin-law, Frank and Carolyn Belknap of Half Moon Bay, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Nancy and Francis Belknap; her stepfather, William Maxwell; and her sister, Nancy Stinson.

Barbara was born on Aug. 14, 1947 in New York. She grew up in New Canaan and graduated from House in the Pines boarding school in Massachusetts. She graduated from Marjorie Webster in 1968 with a degree in merchandising. Barbara worked in New York City as a buyer for Lord and Taylor Department Store and later opened her own shop, The Corner House, continuing the tradition of stores her mother had in Darien and New Canaan. She later worked at Astrea Clothing Company as well. Barbara enjoyed golfing at Black Hall Golf Club, working in her many gardens, taking long walks on the beach and developed a passion for painting landscapes from special places she visited. She was deeply devoted to her family and friends and loved by so many.

A service in celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 25, at The First Congregational Church in Old Lyme.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association, 4 Oxford Road Unit E-4, Milford, CT 06460.