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Mary "Peggy" Bernadette (Doody) O'Neill - Class of 1949

Submitted by Bill Norvell 1965 <w.norvell@att.net> on 30/Mar/2026
173.171.135.163

    Mary "Peggy"� Bernadette (Doody) O'Neill, formerly of Warsaw, MN, died March 5, 2026, at The Rosemount Senior Living, in Rosemount, MN. Mary, beloved daughter, wife, and mother, was 95 years old.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 12 at 10 AM at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault, with the funeral service beginning at 11 AM. Father Alex Marquette will officiate. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Faribault immediately following the service. A luncheon will be offered afterwards.

Mary Bernadette Doody was born on February 10, 1931, in Newburgh, New York, in Orange County, to Bartholomew Anthony Doody, Sr. and Mary (Molly) Bernadette (Dowling) Doody. Mary's dad was a sheet metal worker who owned his own business, and her mother was a homemaker. Mary was three years younger than her brother, Bob� Bartholomew Anthony, Doody, Jr.

Mary's childhood nickname was Peggy. In her youth, Peggy enjoyed trips to the beach for clamming, roller skating, and Bingo. Mary attended West Street Elementary School, North Junior High School, and graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1949. Upon graduation, Peggy immediately entered Central Academy of Beauty Culture in Newburgh, NY and earned her hairstyling license. Peggy worked at Nel's Beauty Salon in Newburgh for 7 years.

Peggy met her future husband Richard Joseph O'Neill at a YWCA dance held at the Andrews Air Force base during the Korean War. Richard had previously seen Mary dancing on roller skates, so he knew she was a good dancer. They married on August 3, 1957, in Newburgh, NY, and moved to Warsaw, MN, to begin their family. Ann, Joseph, Colleen, John, and Joan gave Peggy the big family she always wanted. Between Colleen and John, Mary had suffered a miscarriage of a premature baby boy.

Mary, a homemaker, lovingly devoted most of her time to her family. In the early years, Mary enjoyed working as a hairstylist at Bernice’s Hair Salon in Faribault; she also volunteered to cut and style the hair of clients at the Faribault State School, where her husband worked. Later, Mary worked seasonally at Andrew's Nursery for several years. Mary was known for her abundant Thanksgiving meals, sugar cookies, and decorated potato salad. As her children married and had their own children and grandchildren, Mary continued to lavish her loving touch and talents on her grandchildren. She and Richard also enjoyed several organized bus trips to the Black Hills, SD; and Branson, MO; as well as periodic trips back to New York to visit family and friends.

In 2008 Mary and Richard moved into Faribault to a two bedroom apartment at Golden Meadows, where they lived about eight years. After changes in Richard's health, they moved to Keystone/New Perspective Senior Living, also of Faribault. After several happy years there, Peggy and Richard moved closer to Ann and Colleen to live at The Rosemount Senior Living in February 2019.

Mary was heart-broken when Richard died on May 1, 2022. However, as a strong, Irish woman, she fought through her grief and lived for her family. Mary was surrounded by family as she departed this life and entered heaven on March 5, 2026.

Mary was loving, lively, generous, sociable, and described by many as a sweet lady. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Mary and Bartholomew Doody, Sr. (NY), brother Bartholomew, Jr. (FL) and his wife Carmen, infant son, son Joseph Richard (MN), and husband Richard (MN).

Mary leaves behind daughter Ann Marie O'Neill, of Rosemount, Colleen Mary (Terry) Timmons, of Eagan, John Leo (Linda) O'Neill of Faribault, MN, and Joan Marie (Mike) Becker, of Council Bluffs, IA, as well as grandchildren Jason (Brooke), Christi (Matt), Collin and Logan, Travis (Mikki), Natalie (Scott), Melonie, Jeanna (Josh), and Miranda (Alex), as well as 13 great grandchildren (with two more on the way), all of whom will keep Mary O'Neill dear in their hearts.