Obituary: ​Shirley O’Neill Sweetman, 93, of Branford

Information via W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home

Shirley O’Neill Sweetman of West Haven passed away peacefully with family by her side at Connecticut Hospice, Branford on December 13, 2017. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, George, who passed away in 1991 after 42 wonderful years together. Shirley was born in Stony Creek, Branford, on August 17, 1924, daughter of the late William J. O’Neill, Sr. and Harriet McAvoy O’Neill.

Shirley often shared her fond memories of her parents and a happy childhood growing up in the Stony Creek section of Branford. She enjoyed the beach, swimming and playing with her friends, and the camaraderie shared by the residents of the “Creek.”

After graduating from Branford High School in 1942, Shirley attended Larson College in Hamden. Shirley and George met at the New York, New haven and Hartford Railroad Office in New Haven after college, where George was an accountant and Shirley began her 37 years with the railroad. Shirley enjoyed her long career there, retiring as secretary to the president.

She and George retired together in 1980. Shirley and George were residents of West Haven for many years. They loved to travel, both domestically and abroad, and vacationed in Hawaii several times. She leaves behind her many cherished friends and acquaintances from the Jewish Community Center in Woodbridge where she swam and exercised well into her 80’s.

She also enjoyed the 20 years she spent volunteering at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven and the many friends she met there. Shirley was a very kind and loving person, a devout Catholic, and an active communicant and volunteer with St. Paul’s Church in West Haven.

In addition to her husband and parents, Shirley was predeceased by her brother, William J. O’Neill, Jr., and his wife, Evelyn. She leaves behind nephews William J. O’Neill III (Penny) of Branford, John J. O’Neill (Joyce) of Clifton, VA, and James Sweetman (Susan) of Orange, niece Peggy Sweetman Angelini, and great nieces Heather O’Neill, Maggie O’Neill, Stacy Bergantino, and other great nieces and nephews.

The family extends its special thanks to the many caring people at Artis Senior Living in Branford, especially Yolanda, Mery, Michaela, and Jackie, for the kind, compassionate care Shirley received during the past year, and the compassionate and caring nurses at Connecticut Hospice.

Memorial contributions in Shirley’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN, 38101, or to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Shirley Sweetman, please visit our Tribute Store.