Obituary of Julia A. O'Connell

Julia A. (Richards) O'Connell (Mema), 90, of Syracuse, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2017 at St. Joseph's Hospital with her loving family by her side. She was born on September 22, 1926 in Newark, NJ to Emerson and Ayone Richards. Julia was a graduate of Marcellus High School and Morrisville State College where she met her Husband, Felix J. O'Connell. She retired from Syracuse University. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband and a son-in-law, Stanley VanScoter. Julia was an awesome wife and mother who always put her family first. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and was always interested in what they were doing. A fan of the former Syracuse Blazers Hockey Club and The Syracuse Crunch, she continued her interest in hockey when two of her grandsons played the sport. She was always in the stands cheering them on. She was also an avid SU sports fan. Julia loved quilting which brought her many hours of pleasure. She was a member of both the Sankofa Piecemakers and the Lyncourt Quilt Guild where she made numerous friends. One of her greatest joys was seeing the Pope in NYC in 2015. Julia touched countless lives and was considered "Mom" or "Mema" to everyone. Surviving to cherish her memory are her six daughters: Eileen (Martin) Clark, Maureen VanScoter, Gloria (James) Byrnes, Kathleen (Christos) Peios, Margaret "Peggy" (Don) Major, Bridget (Russell) Carlson, 10 Grandchildren, 5 Great-Grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and precious pets. Words cannot express how grateful we are to Dr. Daniel Fuleihan and everyone at the New York Heart Center for the outstanding care and compassion they showed to our mother over the years. She loved every single one of you and looked forward to seeing all of you during her appointments. We are deeply thankful to the Nurses and Physicians Assistants of St. Joseph's Hospital's D5 Unit and St. Joseph's Home Care Staff who made sure that she was cared for so lovingly during her final days. Friends may call at the Welter-Price Funeral Home, 3111 James Street Syracuse, NY on Wednesday, January 18th from 4 - 7 pm. Funeral and Committal Services will be held at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 259 East Onondaga Street, Syracuse NY on Thursday January 19th at 9:30 am. Burial Service will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Francis House.