Peggy O'Connell, CSJ

O'Connell, Peggy, CSJ Imaginative, tremendously talented, and exceptionally inspiring are but a few ways in which Sister Peggy (Laurentia) O'Connell will be remembered by those who knew her. Born Cecelia Marie O'Connell in Redwood Falls, MN, on December 12, 1927, Peggy died peacefully on November 7, 2017 at Carondelet Village in St. Paul. A 1952 graduate of the College of St. Catherine with a major in Sociology, Peggy also earned an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of Hawaii in 1966. Her teaching career began with St. Charles Borromeo and Cathedral School in the Twin Cities where she eventually became St. Paul Province Elementary Supervisor. After her studies and teaching in Hawaii, Peggy joined the faculty at St. Catherine University where she was awarded the St. Catherine Teaching Excellence Award. From her early education endeavors to advising the woman of St. Kate's, Peggy was deeply committed to using creative drama for the promotion of a person's total growth and potential often stating, "children must be challenged to think, to create, to do and to appreciate." Sr. Peggy is preceded in death by parents Richard and Esther (Erbes) O'Connell; brother Dick O'Connell Jr., and sisters Mary Ellen Kopponen and Patricia McKeown. She is survived by brother-in-law Thomas McKeown, special friend Belle Flynn, CSJC, many nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 AM, Monday November 13, 2017, at Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, MN, with Visitation at 10:00 AM preceding Mass, and burial at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN, following the luncheon at the Carondelet Center in St. Paul. Arr. O'HALLORAN AND MURPHY FUNERAL HOME. 651-698-0796

Published on November 10, 2017