Claire O'Connell

With great sadness, we announce the death of Claire O’Connell of Coconut Creek, Florida, who passed away peacefully on January 3, 2024 at the age of 100.

Claire Agnes (Fitzpatrick) O’Connell was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on April 3, 1923 to James H. and Catherine Fitzpatrick. One of five children, she grew up in Springfield and graduated from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA in 1944.

At the height of World War II, she joined the U.S. Navy. She served in the Women’s Navy Reserve (WAVES) for two years and was stationed in New York City, where she had the privilege of taking part in the joyous VE/VJ day celebrations in Times Square.

Returning to Springfield after the war, she later worked for the campaign of U.S. Congressman Edward P. Boland and relocated with the newly-elected Congressman to Washington, D.C. She spent several years working on Capitol Hill with the Massachusetts delegation.

During this time, she met and married John D. O’Connell, a Washington, D.C. police officer. They wed in 1955 and were happily married for 43 years until his passing in 1998. They raised two children in Washington, D.C., later relocating the family to Pompano Beach, Florida.

Always an active Catholic, she took a job as the parish secretary at St. Coleman Catholic Church in Pompano Beach, where she worked for over two decades, both in the parish office and later as a volunteer in the Religious Education office.

In her later years, she enjoyed traveling, cruising, and spending time with family and friends. She was blessed with incredible health, and was delighted to be able to celebrate her 100th birthday in 2023, surrounded by loved ones.

Claire is survived by her daughter Mary Pineda (Ulises), son Daniel O’Connell (Yok), grandson Johnny O’Connell, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Claire will be held Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Kraeer Funeral Home, 200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064. A mass of christian burial will occur Friday, January 12, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Coleman Catholic Church, 1200 S. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach, FL 33062.