Obituary of Georgiana C. O’Connell

Georgiana O'Connell
Date: August 22, 2018

Georgiana C. O’Connell died August 19, 2018 at Wingate Residence in Providence, RI, was born in Dorchester, MA on February 1, 1925 to William and Margaretta Conklin.  After graduating from Simmons College in Boston, MA in 1947, she worked in New York City in the fashion magazine industry for several years.  She married Eugene O’Connell in October 1950 and was the proud mother of six daughters.  Georgiana, known as Gige, was a 54-year resident of Monterey, MA.  She taught for 30 years spending most of her time as a teacher in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District including teaching at the Monterey School House.  She served on various boards within the Town of Monterey.  She was the first woman elected to the select board where she served for almost 10 years.  She was a member of the Our Lady of the Valley parish and served on the Gould Farm Board.  Georgiana was passionate about family, Monterey and being a great teacher and role model to her students.

She was predeceased by her husband Eugene in 1987 and by her grandson Matthew Christopher in 2008.  She is survived by her six daughters and their spouses Suzanne of Middletown, CT and Sandisfield MA, (Thomas Christopher), Lynne of Brockport, NY (John Gardner), Adrienne of Washington, MA (John Branton), Mary-Anne of Ft. Mill, SC (Frank Pope), Gwynne of Fairfax, VA (Cathy Ganek) and Joanne of Providence, RI (Chris Foster) as well as six grandchildren, Andrew and Josh Gardner, Spencer, Siobhanne and Madelinne Pope and Margarete Foster.

Funeral services for Georgiana C. O’Connell will be held on Saturday August 25 at 11:00 AM with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Sheffield with Reverend Peter Naranjo Pastor officiating. Burial will follow in Corashire Cemetery in Monterey. Family will receive friends on Friday August 24 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME 33 South Street Great Barrington MA 01230.  Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Gould Farm, P.O. Box 157, Monterey, MA 01245. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.

11 Responses to Obituary of Georgiana C. O’Connell

  1. Rosemary Khosrovani
    August 22, 2018
    at 2:08 pm

    Joanne, everyone at n|e|m|d architects wishing you hope and peace in this time of sorrow.

    Reply
  2. Mary Makuc
    August 22, 2018
    at 10:05 pm

    Gige was a leader in the best sense in Monterey
    for so many years. Her contribution of time and talent
    to the School, Selectboard, Gould Farm and FWMH
    were huge. Please accept our sincere condolences.

    Reply
  3. JEFFREY F GAUTHIER
    August 23, 2018
    at 5:35 am

    So sorry for your lose, She was a great teacher and I remember always seeing her around town making it better. You should feel so proud of all the lives she touched.
    Jeffrey

    Reply
  4. Marie Gormalley
    August 23, 2018
    at 7:11 am

    To Georgiana’s Family,
    Please accept my sympathy and prayers in the loss of your mother.I taught with your dad at Lee Central School and at many functions we had the pleasure of meeting Gige.They both had warm,loving smiles.I am sure that Gene welcomed his Gigi with opened arms.Cherish the memories you have and keep them close to your hearts.I know I have wonderful memories of your dad as a colleague and friend .Gige, rest in peace.

    Reply
  5. Stefany and Steven James
    August 23, 2018
    at 9:11 am

    I am so sorry for your loss. All the stories I heard show she was a spunky ball of fire and lived life well. We are sending up prayers for all of you, that you find comfort and peace.

    Reply
  6. Tina & Timothy Daniels
    August 23, 2018
    at 3:19 pm

    What a beautiful woman, and what an incredible life-story! Many blessings of comfort to so many family and friends who are mourning the loss of Mrs. O’Connell.. Truly a woman who made this world a better place. Much Love,

    Reply
  7. Ulrica christopher
    August 23, 2018
    at 7:21 pm

    My condolences and prayers go out to all of Gige’s children and friends. May she Rest In Peace

    Reply
  8. Bonnie Kuntz Greenwood
    August 24, 2018
    at 12:23 pm

    So sorry to hear of Gige’s passing. She was an amazing lady. I remember her in the kitchen with all the girls (and me) baking cookies and other tasty treats. I have the greatest memories of wintertime and Christmas at the house in Monterey with all the lights and decorations and sledding on the back hill. She will be missed. My love to you all and I’m sorry that I can’t be there for the service. Special hugs for Joanne, Gwynne, and Chris! I miss you!
    Bonnie

    Reply
  9. Bonnie Kuntz Greenwood
    August 24, 2018
    at 12:39 pm

    I am sorry to hear of Gige’s passing. She was an incredible lady! I remember making cookies and other baked goodies in the kitchen with Gige and all the girls -and me! I have great memories of the house in Monterey in the wintertime with Christmas lights and decorations and all of us sledding on the back hill! She will be missed.
    I wish I could be there for the services but please know that I am sending my love to you all. Especially, Joanne, Chris and Gwynne! Miss you all! Bonnie

    Reply
  10. June Stalker
    August 24, 2018
    at 6:32 pm

    I am sorry to hear of Gige’s passing. I met Gige in 1977 when my daughter entered 1st Grade. This was the start of a two year term for this new Class. Gige had this class for 1st and 2nd Grade. I became the room mother for this class helping with parties. As we got to know each other I came in as a volunteer to help with special projects when ever needed. Gige was an outstanding teacher and friend. In the middle of the 2nd year. I got the children to trace their hands on paper as a surprise for her. I then made a quilt using each child’s hand prints with a flower in the center. The class presented it to her on her Birthday. Years later at Eight Grade step-up night, Gige attended the event. She brought the quilt with her and had it mounted in the hall so each student of those 2 years could remember their start and how far they had come. I feel that each child had a great head start those first 2 years with Gige as their teacher. What a remarkable Person. She will be missed!

    Reply
  11. Father Bruce
    August 26, 2018
    at 6:03 pm

    Deepest Sympathies and Love to Gige’s Family.Dorchestern born,Beloved Teacher married to a graduate of the famous Holy Cross class of 1950 which welcomed returning WWII veterans and recent High School graduates
    Blessings. f
    Farewell Good and Faithful Servant

    Reply

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