Visitation: SUNDAY, Mar. 22, 2015: 2-4 & 7-9 pm at The Dietrich Funeral Homes, Inc., 2480 Kensington Ave., Amherst.
Service: MONDAY, Mar. 23, 2015: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 am at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church. O’NEILL – Marcia V.
March 18, 2015 of Cheektowaga.
Loving sister of Nancy (late “Doc”
Marion) Mistretta and Mark O’Neill of
Jamestown and William (Judy) O’Neill
of Sterling Heights, MI and aunt of six
nephews and their families. Friends
may call Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the
DIETRICH FUNERAL HOME, INC.,
2480 Kensington Ave., Amherst. All
are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial
at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, 157
Cleveland Dr., Cheektowaga on Monday,
March 23rd at 9;30 AM. Please
assemble at church. Interment in Holy
Cross Cemetery in Jamestown, NY.
Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials
may be made to the Sisters of Mercy,
Mt. Mercy Academy or St. Aloysius
Gonzaga Church. Online condolences
at www.TheDietrichFuneralHome.com July 31, 1935 – March 18, 2015 Marcia V. O’Neill of Cheektowaga, a retired Buffalo teacher who was active at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, died Wednesdayat home after a lengthy illness. She was 79. Born in Chicago, Ill., she grew up in Jamestown and boarded in Buffalo during the school week in her high school years. She graduated from Mount Mercy Academy in 1953. After high school graduation, she entered the Sisters of Mercy and took her final vows in September 1953. She went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in education from Mount St. Joseph College and a master’s degree in administration from SUNY Buffalo State. Under the name of Sister Mary Carole, she taught in Catholic elementary schools in South Buffalo, West Seneca and Hamburg and served as a principal of Holy Family School. She left Sisters of Mercy in September 1970 and started to work for the Buffalo Public Schools as a remedial math teacher for many years. She was part of a team of teachers who assisted elementary teachers in math instruction, writing math exams for city schools and presenting workshops to develop strategies in improving math education. She retired from Waterfront School in 1999. An active parishioner at St. Aloysius, Miss O’Neill used her time to help many ministries. She was a vibrant part of the spiritual life activities as a eucharistic minister, lector, altar server at daily Mass and an instructor in the rite of Christian initiation of adults classes. She worked tirelessly in preparing for liturgical celebrations, in hospitality, as a representative of the parish at Diocesan events and visiting the sick. She was instrumental in the basket raffles at the Summerfest and Christmas Fair. She was recipient of the Diocesan St. Joseph the Worker Award in recognition of her efforts at St. Aloysius. In her leisure time, Miss O’Neill enjoyed concerts, the theater, sporting events, especially cheering for teams from Notre Dame University. She also enjoyed traveling throughout Eastern United States, Ireland and Italy. Her nephew, Philip Mistretta, cared for her throughout her illness. Survivors include two brothers, William and Mark; and a sister, Nancy Mistretta. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Monday in St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church, 157 Cleveland Drive, Cheektowaga.