Collette O'neil

Collette was born Collette Spaulding on September 21, 1928, in Brockton, Massachusetts to John and Lillian McGee Spaul- ding. She graduated from Brockton High School, and married her high school sweetheart James A. O'Neil.

Collette loved dance, and spent a brief amount of time as a New York City Rockette before she and Jim moved to California. In addition to raising her nine children, Collette owned and taught at Collette's School of Dance for more than 25 years in Hanford, Lemoore, and Corcoran.

Collette was active in several groups, including Holy Spirit Catholic Church Seniors Group, St. Agnes Club 55, and Silver Foxes of Clovis, among others. She also enjoyed reading, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and spending time with her large family and many dear friends.

Collette was preceded in death by her husband, James A. O'Neil; her daughter, Ann O'Neil Casey; and her grandson, Aaron Yocum.

She is survived by her sons, James A. O'Neil, Jr. and his wife Sue, and Steven A. O'Neil; daughters, Colleen O'Neil, Michele Perez and her husband Andy, Erin O'Neil Gomes and her husband John, Sheila Mastro and her husband Joe, Shannon O'Neil, and Rosheen O'Neil. She also leaves behind her two brothers, Thomas and John Jay Spaulding of Brockton, Massachusetts; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 355 E. Champlain Dr., Fresno, Ca. 93730 on Monday, June 6, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church Outreach Program.