Obituary of Miriam 'Mim' K. O'Neill

The family of Mim O’Neill sadly announces the passing of their beloved matriarch on Saint Patrick’s Day, 2014 at the Carleton Kirk Home, West Saint John. Having been born in Saint John on Halloween, 1914, she was in her 100th year of life. Mim slipped away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family. Her parents were James and Josephine (Sweeney) Johnson and husband Frederick O’Neill, who predeceased her by 48 years. Mim began her working career in retail sales as a young counter girl in Hymie Garson’s clothing store on King Street, West Side in the 1920s. She was married during WWII and with her husband, Fred, raised three daughters and a son. Resuming her sales vocation after the children were school age, she worked as a clerk at Weizel Bros. shoe store on King Street "up town", during the late 50s and early 60s. Mim’s last place of employment was the business office of the old General Hospital, from where she retired in 1981. She was a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish and the Beaconsfield Rubies and had many friendships resulting from these and other dealings with people over the long course of her life. An avid and skilled card player, she never passed up an opportunity to play a game or two with anybody, usually to the chagrin of her opponent. Another interest of Mim’s was travel, in which she indulged well into her retirement, visiting such diverse places as Ireland, Hawaii and Las Vegas – to name but a few. She will be forever remembered with fondness and love by all who had the great fortune to have known her, or better yet, to have been an intimate part of her life. She is survived by her son, Terry O'Neill of Saint John/ granddaughters Robyn and Taryn and daughters Carol Johnson of Miramichi/sons Liam and Sean; Joan Jennings of Halifax/son Ryan and daughter Erin and Kathy Stewart of Saint John/sons Rob and Jamie and daughter Katie. Great grandchildren Meghan, Jeremy and Connor along with numerous cousins, nephews and nieces are also left behind by Mim. Brothers Jim, Ted and Rod as well as her sister, Margaret (Morrissey) predeceased Mim by a number of years. Arrangements are under the care of Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). Upon Mim’s request, there will be no traditional visitation. The Funeral Service will be held from Brenan's Chapel on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 12:00 noon. For those who wish remembrances to the charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.