Doris Mae O'Connell

Doris Mae (Mudie) O’Connell, 102, formerly of Cranston, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 20th with her children by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late Frederick John (Jack) O’Connell for 41 years.

Doris was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 9th, 1920, the only child of Clarence Edward Mudie and Mabel Catherine McMaster. She attended Girls’ High and Brooklyn College, where she was on the water ballet team and was president of her Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Years later, Doris earned her Masters of Library Science from URI and worked as a school librarian at the John Wickes Elementary School and Pilgrim High School in Warwick.

Doris volunteered for various causes, including St. Matthew Church, Camp Fire Girls, and McAuley House. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella. She joined Elderhostel, and over the years she attended 35 Elderhostel programs around the country, including one where she planted seedlings at the Grand Canyon. She learned to quilt and, in addition to making quilts for all of her family members, she ran summer “sewing weeks” for her granddaughters. An avid reader, she enjoyed getting together with her book club, Novel Women. Every year she and her friends dressed up for a Victorian Tea. She loved the theater, especially Trinity Rep.

Doris lived for several years at Brightview Commons in South Kingstown and then at St. Elizabeth’s Home in East Greenwich, where she received loving care from the staff of Bldg 21 and from HopeHealth Hospice. Doris was admired by everyone she knew for her intelligence, her concern for others, and her determination to enjoy life.

Doris is survived by her children: Mary Cummings of Wakefield (Ernst), Jane Healey of Cranston, John O’Connell of Roslindale, MA and Charlestown, RI (Mary O’Hara) and Elizabeth Small of Jamestown (Chris). She was the devoted “Amah” of her grandchildren: John Cummings, Catherine Cummings, Colin Healey, Kyle Healey, Martha O’Connell, Theresa Chamberlin (Scott), Stephen O’Connell, Christine Long (John) and Rebecca Small; her great grandchildren: Casey Crider, Breeana Hynson, and Lily Chamberlin; her step grandchildren: Lisa Moran (Pat), Lara Cole (Charlie), David Cummings (Wendy), Tonya Morgan (Charlie), Brian Cummings (Joanna) and Dana Fusaro (Joe), and all of their children. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at Christ the King Church, 180 Old North Rd., Kingston, RI, on Tuesday, January 10th at 10:00 am. Calling hours are respectfully omitted. A private burial at St. Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Ave., Providence, RI 02907, or to St. Elizabeth Home, One St. Elizabeth Way, East Greenwich RI, 02818.