Margaret Ann O’Neill

Born October 19, 1936, in Marquette, the daughter of Paul Arthur and Margaret Ann (Anderson) Riopelle, Margaret was raised in Marquette. An honor student at Bishop Baraga High School, she graduated with the Class of 1954. She began her working career first at the Marquette Catholic Diocese’s newspaper, Our Sunday Visitor.

On January 12, 1957, Margaret was united in marriage to Jerome “Bucky”ù O’Neill at St. Peter Cathedral, a union of love and devotion that stood firm for 67 years. Together, the couple established a home in Marquette where they raised their family. For many years, Margaret was employed with the Marquette Catholic Diocese in various capacities, with the Newman Center at St. Michael Church, and with the Diocesan sponsored camp, Camp Plagens. She then began a long career from 1972 to 1993 at the Marquette County Courthouse, first in the Accounting Department and then transitioning to the Clerk’s Office and later becoming the Deputy County Clerk, then retiring in 1993.

For many years, Margaret was affiliated with Marquette Junior Hockey as a supporter and serving as secretary for the organization. She even played in one game at the old Palestra, the Mother’s Game, in which Bucky, complete with a woman’s wig, served as an official. Margaret possessed a very take charge attitude and, combined with her witty personality, she was sure to be in the forefront of any organization she belonged to. In addition to Marquette Junior Hockey, Margaret was also a past president of the Daughters of Isabella, a member of the Red Hat Society, and loved to read. An active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Big Bay, which she dearly loved, Margaret enjoyed knitting with the ladies in the St. Mary Prayer Shawl Ministry, had served as treasurer of the ladies guild, and loved to do any work for the church. She was very devoted to her Catholic Christian faith and lived it by example by being kind and loving. She daily prayed for various intentions for family and friends and her rosary was always at hand.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Jerome (Bucky); her children, Paul (Nancy) O’Neill, Michael (Christine) O’Neill, Bob (Lisa) O’Neill, and Kathy McKindles; her grandchildren, Matthew O’Neill, Tiffany O’Neill, Brian O’Neill, Elizabeth (Nicholas) Boliard; Cassaundra (Jon) Strolle, Katy O’Neill, Sean McKindles, and Megan McKindles; many great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Paul and Margaret Riopelle, Margaret was preceded in death by her baby brother, Robert Riopelle and a son-in-law, Bob McKindles.

The family will receive relatives and friends in the Bishop’s Room located at St. Peter Cathedral on Monday, March 11, beginning at 10:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 12:00 noon with Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber, pastor, as celebrant. A reception will follow in Cathedral Hall. Entombment will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery Columbarium at an undetermined later date.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.