Lillian M. O'Neil

Our Mother, Lillian M. (Bechan) O'Neil, 95, formerly of Trumbull, CT, passed away July 19, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Lillian was born in North Brookfield, MA, on April 25, 1926, to the late Anthony and Bohumila Bechan, first-generation immigrants from the Czech Republic. Growing up on the family farm in Oakham, MA, Lillian developed a devotion for family, gardening, and the great outdoors. Lillian was a 1944 graduate of Barre High School, Barre, MA. During WWII, Lillian worked for the U.S. Office of Civil Defense, staffing a search tower to identify and record aircraft movements over Central Massachusetts. She was a 1946 graduate of Becker Jr. College in Worcester, MA. In 1948 she met and fell in love with John J. O'Neil at the V.A. hospital in Rutland, MA. They were married on June 26, 1954, and had six children. Our Father's position in the Food Science industry required our parents to move their young family several times before settling in Trumbull, CT in 1966. They founded and operated Food & Nutrition Press in Trumbull for nearly 30 years. Lillian was a long-time parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena Church. Lillian was an avid reader and loved to travel. In 2013, Lillian moved to Snellville, GA. 

Of all her roles in life, it was her role as Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother she cherished the most. She was revered as the kindest, quietest woman who gave the best hugs. She was an excellent baker and cook. She loved entertaining her family in her home, and holidays were always special. Lillian was a devoted fan of the New England Patriots and enjoyed watching their games. 

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, John Joseph O'Neil, and her children, Celine Maura and James Francis.  She was also predeceased by her loving sister, Dorothea “Dot” Bechan Doherty, brother, William “Bill” Bechan, and her best friend and cousin Frances Salminen. She was also predeceased by several beloved brothers and sisters-in law; Florence Bechan, Rita Bennett, Barbara O'Neil, Kay Downing, Mary Courtney,  Thomas Doherty, Francis "Buddy" O'Neil, John Downing and Danny Courtney.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn O'Neil of Stratford; son, John O’Neil (Susan) of Snellville, GA; daughter Monica O’Neil (Mark) of Chico, CA; and son, Patrick O’Neil (Dana) of Mount Pleasant, MI. 

She will be dearly missed by her ten grandchildren, Tori Daniels (Adam), Gregory Ziko; Meghan O’Neil-Poplawski (Caitlin), Erin O’Neil Wilson (Timmy), and Colleen O'Neil; John, Mark, and Caroline Habib, and Alexis and Lillian O'Neil; three great-grandchildren, Walt Timothy, Clara James, and Grant Asa Wilson. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Mac Bennett and many nieces, nephews, and cousins whose company she enjoyed and whom she loved dearly.

Our family would like to thank and acknowledge the support and loving kindness of our mother's caregivers, Pauline Erskine and Sharon Brown of Snellville, GA.  

Friends may call on Thursday, July 29, 2021, from 4-7 pm in the Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Road, Trumbull.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, July 30, 2021, at 10:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 220 Shelton Road, Trumbull. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull, CT.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may donate to the James F. O'Neil Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. Catherine of Siena School, 190 Shelton Rd., Trumbull, CT 06611.  

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.mullinsfh.com. 

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