Rita Josephine Mattingly O'Neill, 88, of Cornwall, New York, formerly of Zanesville, Ohio died Saturday morning, March 24, 2012 at the home of her daughter in Montclair, Virginia. Rita was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, mother in-law, grandmother aka "Grammy "O", neighbor and friend.
Born September 14, 1923 in Zanesville she was a daughter of the late Walter and Agnes Mattingly. Her early career and marriage to an Air Force Officer, William T. O'Neill, gave her the opportunity to live in France, Germany and Italy after World War II. Ultimately the family settled in Cornwall, New York where she raised her five children. She was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, most especially to the parish of St. Thomas of Canterbury in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. Rita took great pride in the community of Cornwall, the Church and most importantly, her children. She always had a positive attitude and was the guiding light and pillar of strength to her family, friends and community.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, William T. O'Neill and a sister Dolores M. Finan.
Surviving are two sons and eleven grandchildren, Shawn P. O'Neill of Boston, MA and William T. and Lisa O'Neill of Groton, MA and their children McCullough and Jack; three daughters, Michelle and David McNicholas of Philadelphia, PA and their daughters Elissa and Monica; Patty and Mark Tedesco of Montclair, VA and their children Marcus, Thomas, Rebecca and Amanda; and Sheila M. and Mike Bridges of Manassas, VA and a their children Caitlin, Jared and Rachel. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY on Saturday, March 31, 2012.
Committal services and burial will be 10:30am Monday, April 2, 2012 at Mattingly Settlement Cemetery, St. Mary's Road in Nashport, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities or to Genesis Hospice, 713 Forest Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio 43701.