Noreen McDonnell

Noreen McDonnell, born Nora Theresa Scarry, beloved wife, adored Mother, Grandmother, and long-time Staten Island resident, passed away peacefully June 4th, 2022 at age 82.  Noreen was born in the village of Attyregan, in Ballymacward parish, County Galway, Ireland on October 28, 1939 to Timothy & Mary Anne (nee Greany) Scarry.

After growing up in Ireland, Noreen lived in London with one of her seven sisters briefly before immigrating to the United States in the early 1960’s settling in Brooklyn.  It was in Brooklyn where she met and married John Joseph McDonnell Jr.  They began their family with the birth of their eldest son, John. The family eventually settled in the Annadale section of Staten Island where she gave birth to Jeffrey and Thomas soon after.

Noreen was a devoted and caring mother who took great joy in cheering on her three boys in their various sports and activities.

She was interested in gardening and fashion and became an avid Yankee fan and a talented cook hosting weekend dinners for family and friends.

From the late 1990s until she retired in 2010 she worked as the main switchboard operator for Staten Island University Hospital - South where her distinctive Irish brogue could be heard routing calls and paging overhead at both the North and South sites.

She lived most of her life far from Ireland, but Ireland, and the people she loved there were never far from her heart.  She was honored to be a United States citizen and often recalled passing her Naturalization Civics test with pride.

Noreen loved many things, but nothing compared to her 5 grandchildren Dylan, Keira, Danielle, Jacqueline, and Ryan.

Noreen was predeceased by her husband John Joseph McDonnell Jr.  Noreen is survived by her loving sons, John McDonnell (Jeanine), Jeffrey McDonnell (Christina) and Thomas McDonnell as well as loving grandchildren Dylan, Keira, Danielle, Jacqueline, and Ryan. Noreen is also survived by her sisters: Francis (Bill) Quinlan (Yonkers, NY), Jo O’Carroll (Ballinasloe, Co. Galway), and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins around the world.

Noreen was also predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law: Moira and Gerry FitzGerald, Sheila Scarry, Helen, and John Brady, Renee (Bill and Seamus) McWilliams, Colette Beirne, Ita Flannery, and her brothers Thomas Scarry and Martin Scarry.

To honor Noreen’s life, family and friends will gather on Tuesday, June 7 from 4-9 pm at Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home 7447 Amboy Rd, Staten Island, NY 10307
Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, April 8 at 9:30 am at Church of St. Thomas
6097 Amboy Rd, Staten Island, NY 10309 followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery