Joan O'Neill

Joan O’Neill

February 16, 1930 - February 13, 2025

 Joan Ruth Brennen O’Neill Entered Eternal Life on Thursday February 13, 2025 3 days shy of her 95th birthday.

Joan was born in Jersey City to Anna Bryer Brennen. She attended PS17 with her childhood friend, the late Jeanne Gaffney Higgins. She then went onto The Academy of St. Aloysius, graduating in 1947.

Joan was very theatrical throughout her life. In the early 1950’s she was a Guest Actress at the then all male St. Peter’s College. From there she followed her dream of performing from Veronica’s Veil in Union City, The Religious Heritage Series broadcast on Channel 13. Joining a Comedy Workshop performing with the late   Jeannie Joyce mother of Ed Begley Jr. and the late Grayce Rhoades. She then joined the Catholic Actors Guild of America in NYC where she worked as a secretary for The Guild’s President at that time, Horace McMahon of Naked City fame. During this time she met and started life long friendships with other performers including the late Mildred Brown, who would play an important part in her life later on as her son’s Godmother.  Joan also worked for NJ Bell, NY Telephone and Washington Savings Bank in Hoboken.

Then on September 6th, 1965 she had her greatest accomplishment the birth of her son and depending on how he was, her Gift from God or her only Brat. And as she was never on time, did not give birth until 9:04 as she could never be any place by 9 o’clock.

In 1970, she recommended her friend the Actor Charles White of the Patty Duke Show to direct the school play at The Academy of Saint Aloysius. Charlie thanked her by making Joan his assistant director.

In 1972, with a gift of 100 from her Godmother Vera Bryer, Joan enrolled at Saint Peter’s College to pursue a degree in Elementary education. She involved herself fully in the many activities at College, including rejoining the Argus Eyes Dramatic Society and getting rave reviews from the plays” Major Barbara”,” Wildcat”,” Francis Fool of God” and “Fiddler on the Roof” in whichher 10 year old son Sean had a part. After perseverance she graduated in 1983 with a BA in Elementary Education and taught in the Jersey City public schools for 10 years as a pool sub, basic skills instructor and a her favorite teaching ESL to adults.

She also was an active fundraiser while she was President of The Petrienne Society for local charities with her dear friend and former President Margurite Balint Walsh.

Joan was also an active member St. Aedan’s Choir for 50 years and was a member of the Merry Moms, The Y wives, and a den mother in the cub scouts.

She made it to the big Screen twice, first as an extra in the movie Daniel about the Rosenbergs and with her son Sean in the movie Taking Chance.

She is survived by her Son, Sean, daughter-in-law Kathy, Furry grandson Seamus   of Old Bridge, her God daughter Kim Padula of Nashville TN, and many friends and cousins to numerous to mention as she had her 23andMe DNA done and is related to half of Ireland, England, and Sicily.

We wish to thank the staff at Raritan Bay hospital, Drs Sameer and Deepa Patel and the staff and caregivers at The Venetian in South Amboy.

Visitation is Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at St. Aedan's Church, 800 Bergen Ave. Jersey City.  Funeral Mass will follow immediately after visitation. Interment is at Holy Name Cemetery, 823 West Side Ave. Jersey City. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to the family to help cover the cost of funeral services.