Obituary of Frances P. O'Donnell

Peabody – Frances P. (Murphy) O’Donnell 88, beloved wife of the late Paul F. O’Donnell, died Sunday, January 24, 2021 at the Boston Medical Center. Born in Chelsea, she was the daughter of the late William and Regis (Fitzgerald) Murphy. She was raised in Winthrop and received her education in the Winthrop school system before graduating from the Academy of Notre Dame in Roxbury, class of 1948. She continued her education earning a bachelor’s degree in History from Emmanuel College in Brookline, class of 1952 and a Masters degree from Salem State College. Mrs. O’Donnell had been employed for thirty-five as a school teacher for the Peabody school system until the time of her retirement in 1989. A longtime resident of Peabody, Mrs. O’Donnell volunteered for many years with special needs patients as well as at the Family Pantry in Hyannis. Surviving her are three sons, Paul O’Donnell of FL, Thomas O’Donnell of Salem and Michael O’Donnell of Peabody, a daughter, Susan O’Donnell of VA, two grandchildren, Joey Fallon and Meaghan O’Donnell, two great grandsons, a brother, Andrew Murphy of Salem and many nieces and nephews. She was also the mother of the late William O’Donnell and sister of the late Mary Budlong, William and Michael Murphy. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1 Margin St., Peabody, Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. All attendees are required to wear mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Burial will be private. Arrangements by the Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.