It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jeanette Van De Motter, a beloved founding member of the O Dea Clan. Jeanette was a loyal and faithful member of the Clan and had the distinction of attending every Clan gathering alongside her husband, Charles. Her dedication to the Clan was unwavering, and she was held in high regard by all who knew her.
Jeanette’s unwavering presence at Clan gatherings will be greatly missed, and her passing has left a void in the hearts of all who knew her. We extend our sincere condolences to Charles and all of Jeanette’s family during this difficult time.
Jeanette’s memory will live on in the hearts and minds of the O Dea Clan members and will forever be a cherished part of our history.
Rest in peace, Jeanette Van De Motter. You will be deeply missed.
Funeral Mass, Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church. The Mass will be live streamed on the funeral home website. Interment All Souls Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the SCHULTE & MAHON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 5252 MAYFIELD RD., LYNDHURST (BETWEEN BRAINARD & RICHMOND) FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2023 FROM 3 TO 7 P.M.
We’ve just received the very sad news of the passing of Anderson (Andy) O’Day.
Having spent Christmas with his family he died in Pennsylvania on his way home to South Carolina. Anderson was an O’Dea Clan Chieftain from 2002 to 2005 and did a huge amount to publicise the Clan and to attract new members. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Anderson’s Memorial Service will be held in early May. His ashes will be scattered in a very special spot in Maine in July.
To his wife Mel, his family and friends we extend our condolences.
Our hearts are aching at the passing of our beloved Shirley Herrin, who went home to our Heavenly Father on October 26, 2021.
Shirley was born October 15, 1939 in Helena, MT to Gus and Bernice (Warren) Beaver. Shirley was the 4th child of 14 children. Siblings include Don, Joyce, Nancy, Phyllis, Larry, Carol, Glenda, Raymond, Mary, Judy, John, Clarice & Diana. Her first job was car hopping at RB Drive In. She later returned to RB Drive In, while in her 80s, where she loved to deliver meals carside to friends, family and the Helena community. Shirley graduated from Helena High School in 1957.
Shirley had two sons and one daughter, Steven, Stacey and Susan Baertsch from a previous marriage.
On August 23, 1969, Shirley married the love of her life, Keith Herrin and spent over 40 beautiful years together, until Keith’s passing on August 1st, 2011. Together they had two children, Michael Keith and Heather Anne. Shirley was a stepmother to Keith’s six children from a previous marriage.
Shirley worked for various State of Montana departments, including the Montana Highway Patrol, MT Historical Society and Department of Justice. Her true work passion was working for the Montana Legislature where she began working in 1963. Here she served as the supervisor of the Senate Committee Secretaries for many years. She carried out this passion of assisting the legislative process and all members/staff with great enthusiasm and care, serving her last legislative session in 2021. Shirley also loved teaching and helping children. She spent many years teaching and volunteering at the Mt. Helena Christian Academy and temping for the Helena School District. Shirley was the historian for not only her family, but for so many others.
Shirley served on many boards, including Montana Capitol Restoration Foundation, Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame/Western Heritage Center, Daughters of the American Revolution Oro Fino Chapter and was an active member of several Republican Women’s groups . She also volunteered for years for the National and Montana Saddle Club Association, Pioneer Cabin (Reeder’s Alley), Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds Users and the Helena Trail Riders, serving as the club’s president at the time of her death. She volunteered on many local projects and with local churches.
Shirley loved her family activities, which included family reunions, picnics, holiday gatherings, horse activities (O-Mok-See/Little Bighorn Reenactment), taking pictures, running around the mountains with her kids, picking huckleberries and many others. She loved her family with all of her heart. She also loved her hats and was rarely seen without one, which always matched her outfit perfectly.
Shirley will be greatly missed and always remembered. She is survived by her children, Steven (Laurie Edwards) Baertsch, Stacey (Tanya) Baertsch, Susan Williams, Michael Keith (Tasha) Herrin, Heather (Roland) Schreibvogel. Grandsons, Doug Baertsch, Casey Lee, Colton Baertsch, Seth (Amber) Bourquin, Faith (Georg Sperle) Herrin, Justin (Robyn Avery) Baertsch, Hope Schreibvogel, Matthew Herrin, and Dakota Schreibvogel. Great Grandsons, Mason Baertsch, Stetson & Dawson Bourquin. Siblings, Nancy Archer, Larry Beaver, Phyllis Lamping, Glenda Eenhuis, Mary Crosby, Judy Harris, John Beaver and Clarice St. Clair. Her step-children: Marcia, Mary, Kitty, Carol and Laura. Step Grandchildren, Branch, Gretta, Rafer, Colter, Ryley, Amandalee and Dillon.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Keith Herrin. Her parents, Gus and Bernice Beaver and her siblings, Don Beaver, Joyce Sturn, Raymond Beaver, Carol Dean and Diana Gustafson. Step-son Keith Jr. and step grandson, Evan.
There will be a celebration of Shirley’s life in Helena in the Spring, 2022.
Patrick never missed a clan gathering since our very first clan gathering in 1990. Patrick was a kind gentleman who was very proud of his O’Dea heritage and roots.
In his youth, Patrick excelled as a national cross country champion. Every year, the Patrick O’Dea open cross country and 5 km road races is held in his native Lissycasey to honour him.
To his family and partner, Dorothy, we send our deepest condolences.
Paul passed away peacefully on June 1, 2017 at home with his family by his side. He was born May 2, 1935 in Chicopee, MA to James & Jeanette O’Day. He earned a BA in Chemistry w/honors from American International College, a Masters in Public Admin from American Univ and a JD from Georgetown Univ where he received their Constitutional Law Award. He was a visiting fellow at Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School & awarded an honorary doctorate in Public Admin from AIC. He was President of the Eisenhower World Institute from ’93-’99 and on the Shakespeare board from 1985-1990. His government service included his appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce & Senior positions in the Office of the US Trade Rep. Up to his passing, he was President & Counsel of the American Fiber Manufacturers Assoc. A job he truly loved, considered the height of his career, and poured himself into, even at 82. Friends called him “a Legend” in the industry. The AFMA Board established a scholarship in 2014 in honor of Paul, who served as their President for 3 decades.
Paul was well-read, maintained a deep curiosity in life and all 19 of his kids and grandkids could expect a thoughtfully selected book every birthday & Christmas. Amazon Books loved him. He has a multitude of “great friends”, as he would say, near and far, whom he cherished and would do anything for. Paul loved traveling, especially with his favorite travel buddy, Nancy, his wife & love of his life for 55 yrs. His favorites were the annual Smith Mt Lake family vacation, Florence Italy, Istanbul, the Neuchatel,Switzerland gatherings and O’Dea Clan reunions in Ireland at Dysert O’Dea castle with a Guinness in hand. One of his favorite pastimes was fishing on the saltwater flats catching bonefish, permit and tarpon with his son. He loved the arts, especially Shakespeare and Jussi Bjorling. He is survived by his wife and his 4 children, Kathleen O’Day, Maureen Nardo, Michael O’Day (Trish) and Ellen Sundra (Derek) and 13 Grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Paul’s name to AIC, ( alumni office) 1000 State St. Springfield, MA 01109. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 14 at 11:30 am at the Springfield Golf and Country Club in Springfield, VA. For more info contact:
David and Sue, On behalf of all the Committee members of the Dysert O’Dea Australian group, please accept our condolences on the sad passing of your father. May you, Sue and all your family find peace and happiness in the fact dad is at peace and is in a better place looking down and protecting you and your family. May dad rest in peace. Know our thoughts are with you both now and always.
Maureen Carey,
Secretary,
Dysert O’Dea Clan Australia
The death has taken place unexpectedly, of our esteemed clan chaplain, Fr Tom (Tot) O’Dea, at his residence in Ballynacally/Lissycasey, Co Clare, on Saturday, January 2, 2016. Fr Tom is a native of Newmarket-on-Fergus and was 82 years old. He studied in St Flannan’s College, Ennis and St Patrick’s College, Carlow. He was ordained for the Diocese of Phoenix, USA where he ministered for many years before returning to Ireland.
Fr Tom is the beloved brother of Dr. Dominic (Dommie), Toronto, sisters, Evelyn Flanagan, Balllinasloe, Phyllis O’Halloran, Cashel and their families to whom we extend our deepest sympathy. Fr Tom was pre deceased by brothers John and Patrick, Newmarket on Fergus and sister Irene Neylon, Ballyea.
Fr Tom was our much loved and cherished clan chaplain for over 10 years. He was a fine man who dedicated his life to God , his family and the people of his parish. He will be greatly missed. RIP.
Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dílis. May his soul rest in peace with God in heaven.
Dr. Norman E. Dee, 85, a lifelong Concord, MA, USA resident and Professor Emeritus at Lesley University in Cambridge, died Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Emerson Hospital in Concord following a short illness. He was the beloved husband for 57 years of Joan E. (McHugh) Dee.
Born in Concord on March 10, 1929 he was the son of the late James H. and Agnes C. (O’Dowd) Dee. As a young man, he worked… on his grandfather’s farm on Bedford Street, Peter’s Spring Farm and assisted his grandfather and father in the daily operations of the family funeral business. He also assisted in the transportation of equipment for the Boston Red Sox. He attended Concord public schools and graduated from Concord High School in 1947 where he was Captain of the Concord High School Basketball team. He graduated from Boston University receiving a Bachelor degree in Education in 1956, a Master’s degree in Education in 1962 and in 1970 a Doctorate in Education.
For 34 years, prior to his retirement, Dr. Dee was a popular science professor at Lesley University in Cambridge. He was a pioneer in advancing the value of hands-on-learning to discover the wonders of the natural world. In 2002, Lesley University awarding Dr. Dee with the honorary title of Professor Emeritus. Previously, during the 1970’s, he taught 4th grade at the Alcott School in Concord and was a camp counselor at Camp Nashoba Day in Littleton during the summer months.
A lifelong Concord resident, he was a Board of Director member and Third Vice- President of the Concord Lions Club. He also served as a Board Member at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was a faithful and dedicated communicant and lector at Holy Family Parish of St. Bernard’s Church in Concord where he served as an altar boy during his youth. During the holidays, Norman and his wife, Joan, hosted foreign exchange students at their home in Concord.
An avid sports fan, he enjoyed following Notre Dame football, NE Patriots and the Boston Red Sox. He was a season ticket holder for the BU hockey team and never missed a Beanpot Tournament.
In addition to his wife, Joan, he is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces great nephews, great grand nieces, great grand nephews and numerous cousins. He was the brother of the late Marian F. Roman, Charles W. Dee, Sr., Martha M. Pagano and James H. Dee, Jr.
A Funeral Mass was held in Holy Family Parish, Monument Square, Concord, Massachusetts, USA, on February 11th, 2015 but due to multiple storms interment was postponed until March 17, 2015, St Patrick’s Day , in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Concord, MA. USA. Visiting hours at the Dee Funeral Home were held on Tuesday, February 10th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm.
Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Joseph’s Abbey, 167 Spencer Road, Spencer, MA or to Concord-Carlisle Scholarship Fund, 34 Walden Street, Unit 217, Concord, MA 01742 or to the Dee Scholarship Fund, c/o Lesley University, Office of Advancement, 29 Everett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Arrangements are under the care of Susan M. Dee and Charles W. Dee, Jr., Dee Funeral Home of Concord. To share a remembrance in Dr. Dee’s guestbook visit www.deefuneralhome.com
