Mary Therese O’Connell (aka “Puddy,” “Mommo,” or “that weird woman who is so nice to me”) shuffled off her motor oil on February 10th, 2018, passing away suddenly and peacefully where she excelled - in bed. Mary was born on June 29, 1939 in Chicago, IL, to Joseph and Mary Scheibel - two people you really wish you had met. Mary attended Clarke College in Dubuque, IA where she met her one true love, but eventually settled for John J. O’Connell, after she beat him in ping pong (this is not a euphemism). They were happily married on July 17, 1965. Mary then devoted much of her life to raising four wonderful children, and one numbskull. We’re not telling you which is which. Mary spent her summers at the family’s cottage in Sister Lakes, MI where she sunbathed and enjoyed milkshakes at Driftwood. Never a shrinking violet, Mary was fiercely loyal, remarkably compassionate, and amazingly (and often times inappropriately) funny - unlike the writers of this obituary. Mary never met a stranger; every person she met, whether a server or a Senator, immediately became a close friend. She remembered your name, treated you with respect, all while learning how upset your aunt in Toledo was about the wedding invitations. Mary found joy in the little things, her husband’s endowments not included (financial endowments. Sheesh!) – a text from a grandchild, a phone call from her favorite child (again, we’re not telling) and beautiful, life affirming memories shared with her husband of over 50 years. A proud cancer survivor, Mary cherished her life and family. Those left to honor her memory include her loving husband, John O'Connell; five children: Kathleen (Patrick) Roseboom, John (Marcia) O'Connell III, Maureen (Michael) Sattan, Sheila (Keith) Berkley, and Megan (Matt) Cox; along with 16 grandchildren – Rachael, Ryan, Erin, Morgan, Ceridwen, Rhiannon, Michael, Stephen, Nicholas, Makenna, Alex, Sam, Calista, Will, Nora and Eliza. Mary would be impressed that you read this far. Mary is also survived by her brother, Joseph (Barbara) Scheibel of Tinley Park, IL and sister in law Kathy (Bob) Marsh of Manassas, VA. And you. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 15, 2018 at Resurrection Catholic Church. Friends (No enemies, please. You know who you are.) may call from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, February 14 at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road. In lieu of flowers, please send copious amounts of booze and chocolate. Or, for those of you that are more charitably inclined, please consider a donation to Opening Doors, a Dubuque non-profit that empowers the lives of homeless women and children at Maria House, Teresa Shelter and Francis Apartments. Her children wish to express their condolences to everyone who didn’t have a mom as genuine, spectacularly funny and loving as Mary.