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Mary J. O’Neill, 84, a longtime Williston resident, passed away Tuesday morning, June 22, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center in Williston, ND.
Mary Ward was born December 31, 1925 in Williston, ND, the daughter of Arthur and Mable (Davis) Ward. From the beginning she became affectionately known as Toddy, the nickname her dad always fondly called her. Unfortunately, Toddy lost her dad in an accident when she was four. At the age of eighteen, Toddy would also come to lose her mom.
After schooling, she traveled with her brother to Billings for work. After several years there, she returned to Williston and took a job at a local chicken hatchery. She then moved on to Mercy Hospital, where she worked until shortly after getting married.
On January 28, 1946, Toddy was united in marriage to Leonard O'Neill at St. Joseph's. Together they had and raised eight children. They made Williston their home all these many years until his death in 1999.
Toddy enjoyed crocheting and knitting, creating many afghans, and made clothing for her children. Toddy could envision how something should look in her mind and never needed a pattern for any clothing, quilts or afghans that she made. Toddy liked decorating her home inside and out, for all the various seasons and holidays. She loved collecting new additions to her holiday and seasonal decor to see the look of wonder on the kids' faces. She was a wonderful baker and excellent cook. Toddy was especially known for her potato salad in a great big yellow bowl; it was no surprise there was never any left over.
Given her husband's love for horses, Toddy also loved camping and horseback rides, especially the Culbertson Trail Ride. She also liked spending time playing Bingo with Leonard. Every year they planted a vegetable garden and she also spent many hours in her flower gardens.
Family was extremely important to her. Toddy and Leonard's home was always full of activity and the center for many family gatherings. She was proud of her five generations of O’Neills, and adored all her grandchildren and followed their many activities.
Toddy is survived by her children and their spouses: Leonard and Barb O'Neill, Mary Pitman, Phyllis and Lester Woodward, John and Laureen O'Neill, Shelly and Tim Theige, and Gerald and Dana O'Neill, all of Williston. Also surviving are twenty-seven grandchildren, fifty-one great- grandchildren, and fourteen great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law, Alice Ward and Millie Langager.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; two sons, Thomas and Bruce O'Neill; a daughter-in-law, Linda O'Neill; her brothers, Michael, Lloyd, Clifford, Bud, and Dale Ward; her sisters, Ruth Britton, Grace Jellison, and Betty Dullum; five great-granddaughters, Ariel Fettig, Carissa Irving, Shawnee and Elizabeth Pitman and Miranda Theige; a great-grandson, Thomas O'Neill; a great-grandson-in-law, Tuscan Rice; and her parents.
The Everson Funeral Home of Williston is caring for the family.
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Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday morning, June 26, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. by Father Dennis Schafer. An Evening Vigil will be held Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Everson Memorial Chapel.
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Friends may call at the Everson Funeral Home of Williston Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at the church for the hour preceding the funeral mass.
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Interment will follow in Riverview Cemetery.
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