Barbara Ross O'Connell, 82, of Memphis, TN, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church,
passed away on August 12, 2020. Barbara was born in Queens, New York on August 2, 1938. She was
preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Anna (Magula) Ross, her loving husband Cmdr. Michael
J. O'Connell USN and dear sister Patricia Cooke. Barbara was the loving mother of Kevin (Donna)
O'Connell, Patti (Whit) Wills, Cassie (Ron) Scott and Sean (Laurel) O'Connell; dearest grandmother of
Alyson (John Cardwell) O'Connell, Callen O'Connell, Joseph (Tina) Wills, Patrick (Nicole) Wills, Michael
Scott, Claire (Matt) Hall, Jack Scott, Maggie Scott, Joshua O'Connell, Anna O'Connell, Samantha
O'Connell, Lucas O'Connell, Jonah O'Connell and Madeline O'Connell; loving great grandmother of
Francis Switzer, Ada Cardwell, Blair and Brooke Wills; and dear sister of Marilyn (Jack) Hardee. Barbara
graduated from St. John's University in 1960 with a degree in education. A little known fact about her is
that she was honored as the 1959 St. John's University Homecoming Queen. One of her great loves in
life were dogs, from showing Old English Sheep dogs earlier in life to her beloved Bassets and rescuing
Golden Retrievers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Barbara's honor to Birthright of Memphis or
Memphis Golden Retriever Rescue.

Private Internment following Mass
Social distancing guidelines will be adhered to at the church. Masks are required