Obituary of Violet Elizabeth O'Connell

PALATINE BRIDGE- Violet Elizabeth OConnell of Palatine Bridge passed away peacefully Friday, November 30. 2012, with her loving husband by her side. Violet was born on January 7, 1928 in Little Falls, New York. She was the daughter of the late Stephen and Matilda (Lisicin-Jezerac) Stegich. Violet was united in marriage on October 28, 1950 to Donald F. OConnell. The couple celebrated 62 years of wedded bliss together. Violet a graduate of Mohawk High School was a successful, self-made business woman and entrepreneur. For many years she was a well-respected New York State road and bridge contractor. During her career at the New York State Department of Transportation she completed and improved many area road projects in Fulton, Montgomery and Herkimer counties. Her achievements in this field were vast and included fifty-two stabilization pods (the first in New York State) on State Route 8 in New Hartford. She was the owner and operator of Palatine Industries a multi-faceted enterprise which included a gravel mining business, and a heavy equipment sales and rental center. Other business ventures Mrs. OConnell owned and operated were the "In Town Car Wash" and the" In Town Storage Unit Facility". She was also a property owner and developer; who owned and negotiated the land acquisition for the home of the well-known Fucillo Autoplex. Violet was a lifelong animal lover and tireless animal advocate. She was a frequent contributor to various animal organizations and shelters. Her generosity, compassion and kindness will be remembered fondly. She is survived by her beloved husband Donald, a beloved sister Jennie M. Domina of Schuyler and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by loved family members, Sister Mary Spraker, and Brothers John Stegich, Jacob Stegich, and Stephen Stegich. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 10:30 am from the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls and at 11:00 am from the Holy Family Parish Church, Cor. Main & John St.s, Little Falls where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Thomas Lawless. Interment will take place in St. Marys Cemetery, Town of Herkimer. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 from 4-7 pm and to attend the funeral services Wednesday morning. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mrs. OConnell be considered to the Ayres Memorial Shelter, 133 Hilltop Rd., Sprakers, New York 12166 or to Holy Family Parish 763 E. Main Street Little Falls, NY 13365. Envelopes for contributions will be available at Chapman-Moser for this purpose.