Elizabeth O'Neill Obituary

Elizabeth Ann "Betty" McKenzie O'Neill CHARLESTON - Entered into eternal rest on the 14th day of January, 2014, ELIZABETH ANN "Betty" McKENZIE O'NEILL, age 87, resident of the Canterbury House in downtown Charleston. The relatives and friends of Elizabeth Ann O'Neill are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 17, 2014, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 134 St. Philip St., Charleston. The Rite of Committal will be private. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway. Mrs. O'Neill was born in Charleston on August 15, 1926, a daughter of Frederick L. McKenzie and Sarah Christian McKenzie. She attended Memminger School for Girls until transferring to St. Andrews Parish High School, from which she graduated in 1943. She lettered in basketball while at St. Andrews. She remained a proud alumna of St. Andrews High School and regularly attended class reunions until her last years. Mrs. O'Neill was the widow of John William O'Neill, Sr., who died in 1970. During their marriage, she was a staunch supporter of his career, both business and political. She was also active in church, civic activities and the Democratic Party. She was also a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, where she sang soprano in the church choir for many years. Mr. O'Neill was a City of Charleston alderman during the early years of the Gailliard administration, and Mrs. O'Neill shared in his love of politics, pursuit of fairness for all, and in promoting the best interests of the Democratic Party. After her husband's untimely death, Mrs. O'Neill served as a New York Life Insurance agent and, most proudly, as administrative assistant to Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., during the early years of his administration. She was the founder of the library at Canterbury House and worked tirelessly to organize and promote it. She made her home in Canterbury House for over 26 years, where she formed countless friendships and where she always felt safe and surrounded by caring and kind support. She was a proud friend of Bill W., having earned over 39 years of sobriety. She believed in giving back what others had given to her, and tirelessly sponsored hundreds of others through the 12-step program. For many years she was a fixture at the Old Central Meetings. She was a voracious reader, and for more than 30 years made the Dart branch of the Charleston County Library her second home. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband; her parents; and by her brother, Frederick L. McKenzie, Jr.; as well as her beloved sisters, Mary McK. Bullwinkel, Sarah McK. Gholson, Rita McK. Jennings, Kathryn McK. Millar, and Diane McK. Cline. Her late brothers-in-law were also a special and much-loved part of her life: George Bullwinkel, Sr., Shelbourne Gholson, Harry Jennings, and Edmund B. Millar, Sr. Mrs. O'Neill is survived by her sister, Alice McK. Bunnell of Charleston; her six children, of whom she was famously proud, Peggy O'Neill (Al Watts) of Ashland, VA, Patricia Elizabeth O'Neill DeTreville (Jim), of Charleston; John W. O'Neill, Jr. (Ann) of Columbia, Dennis E. O'Neill (Lisa) of Mt. Pleasant, Cecile O'Neill Eck (widow of Vincent P. Eck) of Hilton Head Island, and Theresa O'Neill Turnbull (Mark) of Charleston. She is also survived by the 14 grandchildren whom she adored, Coleman O. Watts (Elizabeth), of Nevada City, CA, Jonathan O. Watts, of Ashland, VA, J. Michael DeTreville (Rebecca), Lauren Elizabeth DeTreville, and Emilie G. DeTreville, all of Charleston, Christopher P. O'Neill (Jenny), and Katie O'Neill, of Columbia, John David O'Neill of Mt. Pleasant, S. Caroline O'Neill of Jacksonville, FL, Charles C. Hopkins of Denver, CO, Sarah B. Hopkins of Charleston, John E. Eck of Hilton Head Island, Rebecca T. Robinson (Josh) and Kevin L. Turnbull of Charleston; as well as six great-grandchildren who have recently joined the family circle: Isla Elizabeth DeTreville and Ellis DeTreville (Michael and Rebecca's children), Althea and Calum DeSa (Coleman and Elizabeth's children), and McKinley and Charlotte O'Neill (Chris and Jenny's children). She is also survived by her former brother-in-law, Ty Cline; and by her former son-in-law, C. D. "Dicky" Hopkins. Mrs. O'Neill was a loving "Aunt Betty" to more than 40 nieces and nephews, and to their extended families. She is also survived by many cousins and their extended families. Mrs. O'Neill was the grateful recipient of the special care and attention provided by Suzanne Dodds Kuppens and her agency, Home Care LLC. She was also grateful for the care of her physician, Dr. Hugh Durrence, and his assistant, Jean Moore. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, in the comforting surroundings provided by Hospice of Charleston Inpatient Facility, as well as with the kind care of its nurses, doctors and staff. Mrs. O'Neill's guestbook may be signed online at JamesAMcAlister.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Vincent Paul Eck Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o LCPMA, PO Box 21645, Hilton Head Island, 29925. Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER Funerals & Cremation. 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston