Rhoda T. O'Leary

WW11 NAVY WAVE VETERAN

SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA - Rhoda T. (Arnberg) O’Leary, 89, of South Yarmouth, MA, died peacefully in her home on Monday evening, December 10, 2012.

Born on August 24, 1923 in Worcester, MA, she was the daughter of the late Fritz W. & Ella (McWilliams) Arnberg. She graduated from Commerce High then joined the Navy, and was stationed in Washington DC. She married Seaman Donald B O’Leary in September of 1945. They lived on Cape Cod for 4 years before moving to Connecticut where they raised their family in Tolland & Vernon. Rhoda worked 3rd shift as a private secretary at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford. Her lifelong passions were raising pedigree collies and taking great joy in raising flowers from seeds. Her gardens were always an abundance of color. The Sea shore and Cape Cod was her love and summers were spent in Dennis port until 1976 when they moved to the Cape for good. Rhoda worked at the Harwich Regional Technical School and was known fondly has the “skip” lady. Their Retirement was spent traveling the country in their motor home, including one memorable summer traveling across country to Alaska with grandson Nathan. But she was happiest at home on Cape Cod taking care of her flowers, sewing quilts, baking, and spending days at the beach with her great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her loving husband Donald B O’Leary of 56 years, and her sister, Wanda M. Nieuwenhoff. She is survived by her daughters, Penelope (Penny) Bach and her husband, Robert of West Dennis , Pamela Hann of Enfield, CT; five grandsons, Robert Bach and his wife, Denise(Letendre) Bach of Poultney VT, Daniel Bach and his wife, Maureen(Madden) Bach of South Dennis, MA, Nathan Bach of So. Yarmouth MA, James Hann of Vernon, CT, & Michael Hann of Stafford CT; nine great grandchildren , Deane, MacKenzie, Austin, Dylan, Anna, Sullivan, Nicholas, Sarah & Alyssa Bach; her sister, Noreen N. Arnberg of East Sandwich, MA; & several nieces & nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 17, 2012 from 4-7 pm at Doane, Beal & Ames, 160 West Main Street, Hyannis, MA.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10 am, on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at The First Baptist Church of Hyannis, 486 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601. There will be a committal at Massachusetts National Cemetery.

Gifts in her name can be made to either, the First Baptist Church of Hyannis, Hospice or Elder Services of Cape Cod and Please Plant flowers in your garden for her!