Obituary: Caroline L. O'Neill (1887-1984)

Caroline Loretta O'Neill was the youngest daughter born to Michael O'Neill and his second wife Ellen M. Cunningham. Caroline was born 4 August 1887 in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Caroline was 5 years old when her father died.

The 1900 United States Federal Census records Caroline living with her mother and siblings on the family farm in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Caroline was attending school.

Family tradition maintains that in 1903 Caroline went to Elkins, Randolph County, West Virginia. Her sister Winifred Agnes O'Neill was expecting her fifth child, Charles Eugene McDonald. Caroline stayed with the family and worked a teacher at the local one room school house. Caroline's niece Virginia McDonald Geary offered commentary on the family: "Ellen Cunningham, Winifred's mother used to send her daughters around to assist each other when they were expecting."

Caroline Loretta O'Neill most likely photographed between 1900 and 1910

The 1910 United States Federal Census records Caroline living with her sister Mary Lucinda O'Neill and her brother in-law Joe Ward in Leadsville, Randolph County, West Virginia. She was employed as a teacher working in a private school.

After living in West Virginia Caroline moved back to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County where she lived for the rest of her life. The 1920 United States Federal Census records Caroline living in the family home at 321 Meade Street. She was living with:

• her mother - Ellen Cunnigham
• her niece - Helen McDonald, daughter of Robert A. McDonald & Winifred A. O'Neill
• her sister - Eleanor Monica O'Neill 
• her niece - Bella Mullen, daughter of Eleanor Monica O'Neill

The 1930 and 1940 United States Federal Census record Caroline living with her sister Eleanor Monica O'Neill recorded as Eleanor Mullen at 321 Meade Street. Caroline was working as a Stenographer at an Electric Company - most likely Westinghouse. Later in her career she worked at Westinghouse Electric Corporation and was the secretary to the sales manager.

Caroline never married. She lived to be 97 years old. Caroline died on 13 November 1984 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. She is buried at  Calvary Cemetery. She is buried with her sister Winifred Agnes O'Neill and her brother-in-law Robert Alphonsus McDonald. She was affectionately known as "Aunt Carrie", "Aunt Pokie" and "Aunt Honie" by the family.

A copy of the obituary for Caroline Loretta O'Neill. Caroline was affectionately known by her family as "Aunt Carrie" or "Aunt Honie". The newspaper printed her obituary as Karrie L. O'Neill. The name of the newspaper the obituary was printed in is unknown.

Caroline Loretta O'Neill
Obituary

This photograph of Caroline Loretta O'Neill is shared with permission. The original photograph is in the care of Ginny Geary Laskovics my 2nd cousin 2x. Ginny is a great niece of Caroline Loretta O'Neill. The photograph is orignally from the Virginia McDonald Geary Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky

The obituary originally originally belonged to Caroline's niece Virginia McDonald Geary. Virginia's daughter kindly sent the copy of the obituary to me to incorporate into the family archives.

Virginia McDonald Geary is my 1st cousins 3x removed. She is the daughter of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great aunt. My relationship with Virginia McDonald Geary  is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham.  Caroline Loretta O'Neill is my 2nd great aunt. She is the sister of 2nd Great Grandmother Winifred Agnes O'Neill. Robert Alphonsus McDonald is my 2nd Great Grandfather.

References:

1. 1900 United States Federal Census. Year: 1900; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1394; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 0007; FHL microfilm: 1241394. Record for Ellen O'Neill. 
2. 1910 United States Federal Census. Year: 1910; Census Place: Leadsville, Randolph, West Virginia; Roll: T624_1696; Page: 21B; Enumeration District: 0123; FHL microfilm: 1375709. Record for Carrie Oneel.
3. 1920 United States Federal Census. Year: 1920; Census Place: Wilkinsburg Ward 3, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1530; Page: 19B; Enumeration District: 867; Image: 1003. Record for Ellen M O'Neill.
4. 1930 United States Federal Census. Year: 1930; Census Place: Wilkinsburg, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1993; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 0872; Image: 226.0; FHL microfilm: 2341727. Record for Eleanor Mullen. 
5. 1940 United States Federal Census. Year: 1940; Census Place: Wilkinsburg, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: T627_3421; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 2-622. Record for E M Mullen.
6. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011. Record for Carrie Oneill. 
7. Find A Grave. Memorial Number 107591661.

Prayer Card: Caroline L. O'Neill (1887-1984)

Caroline Loretta O'Neill was the youngest daughter born to Michael O'Neill and his second wife Ellen M. Cunningham. Caroline was born 4 August 1887 in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Caroline never married. She lived to be 97 years old. Caroline died on 13 November 1984 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. She is buried at Calvary Cemetery with her sister Winifred Agnes O'Neill and her brother-in-law Robert Alphonsus McDonald. She was affectionately known as "Aunt Carrie", "Aunt Honie" and "Aunt Pokie" by the family.

To learn more about Caroline visit the post: Obituary: Caroline L. O'Neill (1887-1984)

Caroline Loretta O'Neill

The portrait may have been taken in the 1920's

Caroline Loretta O'Neill
Prayer Card Front

Caroline Loretta O'Neill
Prayer Card Back

This photograph of Caroline Loretta O'Neill is shared with permission. The original photograph is in the care of Ginny Geary Laskovics my 2nd cousin 2x. Ginny is a great niece of Caroline Loretta O'Neill. The photograph is originally from the Virginia McDonald Geary Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky

The prayer card from Caroline's funeral originally belonged to Caroline's niece Virginia McDonald Geary. Virginia's daughter kindly sent the prayer card to me to incorporate into the family archives.

Virginia McDonald Geary is my 1st cousin 3x removed. She is the daughter of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great aunt. My relationship with Virginia McDonald Geary  is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham.  Caroline Loretta O'Neill is my 2nd great aunt. She is the sister of 2nd Great Grandmother Winifred Agnes O'Neill. Robert Alphonsus McDonald is my 2nd Great Grandfather.

References:

1. Find A Grave. Memorial Number 107591661.

A Letter from Tarawa

To make sure we never forget the sacrifice of those who came before us read the letter written from Capt. Martin F. Barrett, U.S.M.C. of F. Company, 2^nd Battalion 8^th Marine Regiment to Caroline Loretta O'Neill the Aunt of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. describing the death of Ambrose on November 20, 1943 on the first day of the Battle of Tarawa.  It is unknown how the letter made it to Caroline, the letter ended up with Ambrose's sister Virginia McDonald Geary. Throughout her life Virginia made certain that Ambrose was never forgotten and that her children, with exception to her oldest, knew about the Uncle they never had the opportunity to meet.

Tuesday, February 1^st, 1944

Dear Miss. O’Neill:

Although I have already written to Ambrose’s mother concerning his death, I feel I should write again and give you further information about him. It is hard for me to write about such things, because he was such a fine boy, and so much liked by everyone. I do, however, want to tell you how he died, because you should know that.

As you know, we landed on Tarawa on Nov. 20^th, and we were in the assault, that is, we were the first to hit the beach. Ambrose got in alright and did excellent work. I saw him about ten o’clock in the morning and he was fine, getting along swell. In the afternoon, I learned he has been hit and died instantly. It was just around noon when he was hit by a Jap bullet and died instantly, no suffering, no pain, he really didn’t know what hit him. He was buried on Tarawa, and Father Laughlin, our chaplain, said the prayers for the dead.

About a week before we landed, a priest came aboard and we all went to confession, mass and communion.  Ambrose was there too, and he received with the rest of us. Just before we landed, general absolution was given, so rest assured that Ambrose is now happy in heaven. That is one consolation that you all have, I’m positive he died in the state of grace.

You know how sorry I am for you and nothing I can say will lessen your grief. His death is a great loss. And may his soul rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Capt. Martin F. Barrett, U.S.M.C.

F. Company, 2^nd Batn. 8^th Marines

F. P.O. San Francisco, Cal.

Note - While this letter is for Caroline Loretta O'Neill, one of Virginia's Aunt's whom she lived with before getting married on 15 Jul 1938. She also lived with Eleanor Monica O'Neill , both are my 2nd great grand aunts, also known affectionately as "Aunt Nora" and  "Aunt Carrie". It is uncertain how the mixup of the name happened.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. 

Ambrose volunteered for military service and joined the Marine Corps. He earned a Purple Heart for his service. In addition to being remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii he now has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery,  thanks to his sister Virginia McDonald Geary

From the Virginia McDonald Geary Collection. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. and Virginia McDonald Geary are my 1st cousins 3x removed. They are the children of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great grand uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great grand aunt. My relationship with Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr. and Virginia McDonald Geary  is unique in that we are double 1st cousins 3x removed. We share two sets of common ancestors. Our common McDonald grandparents are Michael McDonald and Anna Haggerty. Our common O'Neill grandparents are Michael O'Neill and Ellen Cunningham. Caroline Loretta O'Neill and Eleanor Monica O'Neill are my 2nd great aunts.

References:

1. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-tarawa