June M. O'Donnell

June Montgomery O’Donnell passed on January 27th . She was 92. Born in New Orleans, she graduated from Providence Hospital in Mobile Alabama as a registered nurse. She met her future husband, Frank O’Donnell Jr. at a college dance, where they first danced to the song Blue Moon. They were married in 1953. The couple moved to Savannah Georgia and bought their first house on Habersham Street.

She became a full time mother as four children came, boy, girl, boy, girl. In 1963 the family moved to Lynchburg Virginia, due to Mr. O’Donnell being transferred to another plant of the American Cyanimid Corporation. Once the children were in school June worked nights at Virginia Baptist Hospital. She and the family loved the mountains and the snows in the winter, except for driving on the icy roads. While in Virginia June took up horseback riding. She was a talented seamstress, sewing cloths for her children, herself, and even the girls Barbie dolls.

When the plant closed the family returned to Savannah in 1971. June then went to work for Candler Hospital, again working nights, and eventually moving to the Day Surgery department. At one time the four children were all going to different schools. Somehow, she and her husband managed to keep everything on track. As she once said :” you just prayed and did what you had to do.” She was able to retire in her early 60’s. When her husband also retired they were able to spend many quiet years together. They loved spending time with their grandson Ted Fitzgerald during sleep overs, and seeing their granddaughters Katie and Farrell.

In the early 90’s she took her dream trip to Europe, seeing Ireland, London and Paris. June loved to decorate, and make floral arrangements. She turned her garage into a craft shop. She even made her own lighted angels at Christmas. Her den was decorated with paintings and figurines of foxes.

She was a romantic at heart and read dozens of books.

June was devoted to her family. She was a dynamo of energy and care. She would work nights then come home to get her children ready for school. After a few hours of sleep she would take care of the house and make dinner. When her husband suffered a stroke she took him to rehabilitation and helped him to recover.

June was the glue that kept everything together. She made sure the homework was done, that the children did their chores, meals were ready, presents were bought. She survived raising four teenagers in the 60’s and 70’s, a testament to her love and faith.

She is predeceased by her husband Frank J. O’Donnell Jr., son Frank J. O’Donnell III, and daughter Patricia Lynn O’Donnell.

June is survived by her son Will (Pamela), daughter Mary Fitzgerald (Jerry), grandson Ted Fitzgerald (Kyle), granddaughter Katie Rudd (Jay), granddaughter Farrell O’Donnell and cousin Charles Davis.

An honor guard ceremony will be held at 10:15 am on February 2nd by the Coastal Georgia Nurse Honor Guard Society at Blessed Sacrament Church in Savannah, followed by a rosary service. A funeral Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church at 11 am with burial in Greenwich Cemetery.