Racine Victoria O’Connell, age 99, of Jasper, Indiana, died peacefully in the Lord at 5:10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at St. Charles Health Campus in Jasper, Indiana.
Racine was born on December 30, 1917, in Logan, Ohio. Her parents were Cyrus and Marie (Brown) Rochester. She was baptized at St. John’s Catholic Church and graduated from Logan High School in Logan, Ohio. She worked at the department of children and protected service upon graduation from high school and married James Francis O’Connell on June 23, 1945. They were married 68 years. He died on February 1, 2014. Surviving are eight children; Pat O’Connell (Linda), Terre Haute, IN, Therese Hochstetler (Bob), Jasper, IN, Kathleen Abernathy (John), Rio Rancho, NM, Mike O’Connell (Linda), Springville, IN, Katie O’Connell, Bloomington, IN, Jim O’Connell (Louise), Paoli, IN, Dan O’Connell (Ann), Portage, MI, and Kevin O’Connell (Janet), Elk River, MN. They have many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Racine committed her life to her family and faith. Her motto was “don’t give up the ship.” This meant never to give up on your faith and family. She was an advocate for children and the unborn. One of her favorite scripture passages was from John’s gospel chapter 13 verse 34: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Her top ten sayings were: 10) kindness is a language everybody understands, 9) work on your marriage all you life, 8) all things will pass, 7) always be grateful, 6) don’t be afraid to be happy, 5) remember who your best friend is 4) Jesus is your best friend, 3) be true to yourself, 2) who wants to live forever and 1) trust in the Lord, we belong to Him. Three of the happiest periods in her life were marrying our father, having eight children and working with the monks at St. Meinrad.
The Funeral Mass for Racine Victoria O’Connell will be celebrated by Fr. Ben Syberg and Fr. Eugene Hensell, O.S.B. at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Japer. A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2017 at the Becher – Kluesner North Chapel, 3221 N. Newton Street, Jasper, Indiana 47546.
Fr. Vic Subb, Glenmary, will conduct a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family request that you donate to the monks of St. Meinrad at St. Meinrad Archabbey, 100 Hill Drive, St. Meinrad, IN 47577; the Carmelite Sisters at 59 Allendale, Terre Haute, IN 47802; and the Little Sisters of the Poor at 2345 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260.
