Marjorie Katz O’Neill of New Paltz, New York, passed away suddenly on January 1, 2022, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.
“Marge” was born on November 3, 1927, in Port Chester, New York. She was the daughter of the late Peter and Sophie (Condrath) Katz. In her high school yearbook, Marge was described as having “a remarkable ability to meet situations with ease and confidence.” After graduating from Port Chester High School, she went to work for Dancer Fitzgerald Sample, a major advertising firm. She also began taking night classes at NYU. She met her late husband, John (Jack) O’Neill, an artist, in New York City where they lived until they moved to White Plains, NY, where they raised their two children, Mark and Judy. Marge then returned to school, earning a bachelor’s degree from Pace University. In her work life, she rose to be a manager at Kraft General Foods. After retirement, she was remarkably active right into her 90’s.
She lived a long and healthy life that was filled with travels, learning, memories, and independence. At age 94, she still drove a car, lived on her own, enjoyed taking courses at Lifetime Learning Institute, was an avid bridge player, reader, organizer of a book club that is still going strong after many years, met regularly with the “Wids,” and participated in the lives of her friends, children, and grandchildren. Her interests were broad; she was an active Democrat and was certainly not afraid to voice her opinions.
Survivors include her children, Mark O’Neill of Crested Butte, CO and Judy O’Neill of New Paltz, NY, and her granddaughter, Meryl Smith and her partner, Matthew Rivera of New York, NY. In addition to her parents, Marge was also predeceased by her husband, John “Jack” F. O’Neill, of New Paltz, NY; her son in-law, Michael S. Smith of New Paltz, NY; her grandson, John “Jack” Smith of New Paltz, NY; and her sister, Evelyn Katz of Rye, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Elting Memorial Library, New Paltz or New Paltz Fire Department.
Burial will take place later in the spring at the New Paltz Rural Cemetery, 81 Plains Road, New Paltz, New York.
Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home is honored to assist Marjorie’s family with the arrangements.
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