Eleanor Frances Ann O’Donnell passed away on May 5, 2021. She was born in Bayonne, NJ to Catherine Desiderio and Harold Sullivan in 1924. Her brothers/sisters-in-law are: Harold/Marie Sullivan (both deceased), Thomas/Irene Sullivan and Edwin (deceased)/Carolyn Sullivan. Eleanor moved to Jersey City as a young child and lived on Cator Avenue in the Greenville section. She attended St. Paul’s Catholic School and graduated from Snyder High School, the youngest student in her class. Eleanor worked under the iconic clock of Colgate Co., where she excelled in her office duties and developed her breezy and elegant style. Just before WWII Eleanor met her beloved husband, John, “Oatsy” (deceased), at the Boulevard Arena roller rink in Bayonne. They were married in 1948 and had three children, John, Eileen and Patrick. Patrick’s dearest love, Ellen Mihalcin, is in her heart. Eleanor’s grandchildren are John O’Donnell, Michael O’Donnell, Alana Rose Scheuch, John Joseph Scheuch, Jennie Asdal Clarke and Robert Asdal (deceased). Her great grandchildren are Ronan, Charley, Jackson and Jonathan. She is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. She dearly loves her cousin Gloria Eilerman, her niece Patricia Soprano and her dear friend Haydee Mato. After raising her children Eleanor became a medical receptionist in Bayonne; she spent fifty years in the same office. She loved “her patients” and was beloved by those whom she touched with her extraordinarily caring attitude. She retired at age 94!
Eleanor loved flowers, butterflies and birds; she enjoyed the beauty of nature to its fullest. Her family’s multigenerational devotion is to St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology. Her personal devotion was to Our Blessed Mother, Mary. Our Lady’s intercessions provided plentiful blessings to Eleanor’s family and friends.
Eleanor enjoyed her home and Bayonne for the many years she resided there. She found beauty in both the grand and simple things of life. Her boundless energy, caring attitude and sense of humor will be remembered by all who knew her.
The funeral will be conducted by Bayonne Memorial Home, Inc. on Wednesday, May 12. 2021. A funeral Mass will be held at the Church of St. Henry at 10:45 a.m. followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
If you wish to make a donation in Eleanor’s name, her favorite charity is St. Henry R.C. Church, 82 West 29th Street, Bayonne, NJ 07002.
Condolences may be received at bayonnememorialhome.com.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Eleanor O'Donnell, please visit our floral store.