Sister Mary Agnes O'Neil, Daughter of Charity, Age 98 died peacefully at St Louise House in Albany NY on December 8, 2024. She was born September 12, 1926 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to John and Mary O'Neil. Mary Agnes was predeceased by her beloved siblings Helen Byrnes, Jack and Tom O'Neil and Brother-in-Law Harold Byrnes, Sisters-in-Law Diane O'Neil and Rita O'Neil, Nephew Chip (Harold) Byrnes and Niece Marisa Maldonado. Thirty one nieces and nephews were blessed to know her as Auntie Mary. Many cousins, friends, colleagues and her community of Daughters of Charity were also woven into the "fabric of her life" as Sr Mary Agnes would often say. She loved her Irish Heritage and wore the "Green" and shared many a story whenever she could. Her motto "Live- Laugh-Love" was exemplified in her daily life. She brought with her a sense of joy and hope and her smile and Irish laughter made one believe all would be right with the world Sr. Mary Agnes graduated from St Augustine's School in Bridgeport, CT (Class of 1940), Central High School (Class of 1944), and St. Vincent's School of Nursing (Class of 1947), and received her Master's in Health Administration from Boston College. She was a proud Veteran of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, having served as a Cadet Nurse from 1944-47. In 1948 she entered the Daughters of Charity, where she devoted over 75 years serving the poor and vulnerable, advocating for justice, peace and an equitable and compassionate world. Mary Agnes served in many hospitals, including Carney Hospital in Boston, St Mary's in Troy NY., St Vincent's in Jacksonville, Florida, Good Samaritan in Pottsville, PA, Emmitsburg MD, and her beloved St Vincent's in Bridgeport, CT. She served at St. Vincent's from 1969-76 where she coordinated the building of the new medical center, serving as President/CEO while overseeing its completion.. During this time she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree from Sacred Heart University for her service to the Bridgeport Community. She served as Assistant Provincial and Health Councilor for the Northeastern Province of the Daughter's of Charity from 1990-94. In 2012 she retired to the St. Louise House in Albany, NY, where she served until her death in the Ministry of Prayer for all those in need. A wake service will be held in St. Louise House in Menands, NY on Monday evening, Dec 16 and a funeral mass on Tuesday, Dec 17 at 10:30 AM. Internment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to; St. Vincent's Swim Across the Sound, https://swimacross the sound.org or St Jude Children's Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org

"It Takes Courage to Be Kind" Maya Angelou

Swim Across the Sound, c/o St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation
2800 Main Street, Bridgeport CT 06606
Web: https://swimacrossthesound.org/checkout/donate?donatePageId=637656c5acd80b351146f576

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: https://www.stjude.org/donate/