Mary "Cec" O'Neil, 96, of Rochester, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at Madonna Towers Skilled Nursing.

Cec was born February 24, 1921 to John and Katharin O'Neil in her parent's home at Cummingsville, Olmsted County, MN. Cec attended rural school District 17 and graduated from Chatfield High School in 1938. Miss O'Neil was employed at Rother's Department Store in Eyota, MN, Rochester Dairy and later at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company from 1951 until retiring in 1983 as office manager.

Cec joined St. Marys Hospital Auxiliary in 1984 volunteering in the Gift Shop for 22 years and also volunteered at Towers Market at Madonna Towers. Cec also was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and St John's Church Women's Council.

Cec enjoyed traveling, bowling and dining out with family, as well as a special group of birthday club friends. She will be missed by family and friends as she was a special Aunt, Great-aunt and Great-great-aunt and a special friend to many people. Some of her travels included Hawaii and Ireland.

Cec is survived by nieces, Paulene (Wally) Fleuchaus of Mount Pleasant, WI, Patricia (the late Paul) Kolb, of Faribault, MN, Sharon (the late Dean) Remmen of Cordes Junction, AZ, Avis (the late Patrick) O'Neil of Chatfield, MN, Ann (Rollie) Lambrecht of Rochester, Patricia O'Neil and Mary O'Neil both of Rochester; nephews, Richard (Ruth) Batzel and Robert (Teresa) Batzel both of Rochester, George (Lori) Batzel of Chatfield, John (Gretchen) O'Neil of Eyota, and Tom (Deb) O'Neil of Winona, MN; and many great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Katharin O'Neil; sisters, Agnes Batzel, Loretta and Teresa O'Neil; brothers, Sylvester, Paul, and John O'Neil; nephews, Patrick O'Neil and John (Jack) O'Neil; and niece, Peggy Babcock.

Cec was a kind, caring person, which was very evident as she cared for her sister, Loretta for several years.

A special thank you to the Madonna Towers Skilled Nursing Staff and Season's Hospice for their wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Madonna Towers or Season's Hospice.

Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in Madonna Towers Chapel located at Madonna Towers with Reverend Donald J. Schmitz and Reverend Thomas Loomis co-officiating. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. one hour prior to the mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at Chatfield, MN.