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01/06/2023 03:57 PMMargaret Theresa “Marge” (Moran) O’Neal, 91, of Deep River, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Dec. 22. She was born on March 29, 1931, in Chester to Edward and Elizabeth (Ford) Moran.
Marge, the youngest of seven children, grew up and resided in Chester, graduating from Chester High School in 1949. She married her late husband Richard “Chuck” O’Neal in 1955. After their marriage, Marge and Chuck lived in several states while Chuck was serving in the U.S. Navy and had their three children before settling back in Chester in 1964. In 1969, Marge and family moved to Bermuda for three years as part of Chuck’s job for the Naval Underwater Research Center. Marge quickly adapted to island life by volunteering at a hospital, joining clubs and serving as a Girl Scouts leader. While living in Bermuda, Marge learned to drive on the left-hand side of the road and got a Bermudian driver’s license. Then she could enjoy one of her favorite things: riding around. She loved car rides her entire life and will always be remembered zipping around with her arm out the window, right up until her macular degeneration made it no longer possible to drive.
Marge is best known by family and friends as a fun-loving person with a good sense of humor, always quick to make new friends in any situation. She was a terrific mom and an extraordinary grandmother. She loved her three grandchildren very much and was extremely proud of each one.
She is survived by her loving son, Joseph O’Neal of Weehawken, New Jersey; and her loving daughters, Patricia O’Keefe of Deep River, and Maureen O’Neal of Carlsbad, California. She is also survived by her sister Katherine Foley of Cromwell; and many nieces and nephews. Margaret was the proud grandmother of Christopher O’Neal of East Haddam, Matthew O’Keefe of Deep River, and Julia Gallagher of Carlsbad, California. Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Richard; her three brothers, Thomas, Edward, and James Moran; two sisters, Elizabeth Vuono and Anna Mae Martorelli; and her son-in-law Dennis O’Keefe.
The family would like to thank Joann Hourigan, executive director of Deep River Senior Housing, for making Marge feel so safe and cared for during her many years at Kirtland Commons. They would also like to thank Premium Home Aids & Companion Services and the Middlesex Health Hospice team for their compassionate care and dedication.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held privately. To share a memory of Marge or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. The Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook is in care of the arrangements.