Frances (Story) O'Neil

Gorham, NH

Mrs. Frances (Story) O'Neil of Marois Avenue passed away early Saturday Morning, July 16, 2011 at St. Vincent Nursing Home in Berlin. She was 84.

Born on April 23, 1927 in Berlin, NH, she was the only child to Eldon & Alice (Hussey Bombard) Story.

She was raised in Berlin and attended Berlin schools.

On November 22, 1946 she married Gerald J. O'Neil. Together they raised 6 children. He passed away on Nov 5, 1986.

She was a devoted homemaker and mother. She will be remembered as the best Mom any child could ever have and was a foster mother to many.

Over the years, she had various jobs. In earlier years, she worked at Al's Steakhouse & the Costello Hotel as a waitress and at the Brown Company in the towel room.

While her kids were growing up, she and her husband kept the Sokokie Chiefs Drum & Bugle Corps going. The band members came to know her as "Mother or Ma".

She was a communicant of Holy Family Church in Gorham and was supervisor of the voting checklist in Gorham.

For over 35 years, she was the Sales District Manager for Friendly Home Parties and for 17 years, she worked as the "Old Woman in the Shoe at Storyland.

She delivered cars for Berlin City Motors until a few years ago.

Her pastimes included crafts, and traveling the area fairs with her crafts and toys she also loved yard sales.

She was very proud of her family heritage, especially her grandfather Jack Story who was a well known florist and horticulturist who kept the gardens for the Brown properties.

She enjoyed working with people and her motto was "I am so glad we met."

Besides her husband, a great-granddaughter Alexandria Rich died before her.

She leaves 3 sons: Gerald J. O'Neil, Jr., of Gorham, Gregory O'Neil and his wife Kelly of Gorham, and Jamison O'Neil and his wife Candy of Milan

3 Daughters: Barbara J. Labreque and her husband Danny of Berlin, Carol Mc Millan and her husband Dan of Manchester, NH, and Peggy Blais and her husband Ray of Berlin.

19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 2 great- great grandchildren who all knew her as "Grammy O".

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am Tuesday, July 19 at Holy Family Church in Gorham. Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held from 2-4 pm & 7-9 pm Monday, July 18 at Fleury-Patry Funeral Home, 33 Exchange St, Gorham.