Jane (Jenny) O’Neill, our 100 year-old mother, passed away May 18th, 2020 with grace and peace at Silverthorne Nursing Home in Mississauga. She was the last of her generation of the Burgener/O'Neill family, and was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, James (Jim) O’Neill in 2010. Their life together was well lived, with love at its core, and resulted in many good works.
Jenny spent much of her life in Port Credit raising her children, and volunteering at Saint Mary’s School and Church. She was blessed with 25 great grandchildren, 14 grandchildren, and 4 daughters, Maureen Bileski (Dan Bileski RIP 1995; George Cruikshank) Mississauga, Ont; Carolyn (Jim) Fitzpatrick, Albany NY; Sharon (Rick) Barrette, Vancouver Island, BC; and Jane (Jim) Moore, Pickering, Ont. She will be dearly missed by all of us.
Born in Toronto during the last year of the Spanish Flu and at the end of WW1, Jenny’s 100 year life would write several chapters, and perhaps fill entire volumes. She faced life’s challenges and adventures with resilience, dignity and humour. She and Jim had a great love of travel, even flying on the Concord Supersonic Aircraft to Britain. Jenny was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, who gave much love and kindness to everyone she encountered.
Her last years were spent under the supportive care of Silverthorn’s kind staff. We are especially grateful to Jenny’s private care assistants, Marites & Celsa, whom she loved very much. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Saint Mary’s cemetery. The family will hold a private service at the funeral home, with a memorial Mass to be celebrated at a later date. If desired, donations to Covenant House would be appreciated by the family.