Magdalena O’Neill, 87, of Front Royal, passed away on the 10th day of January 2024. Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, Magdalena moved to Virginia to study at Averett College in Danville. She married Robert J. O’Neill in 1959 in New York City and they went on to work and to raise their children in Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Paraguay, and Ecuador before moving to Front Royal, Virginia in 1978 where she lived for the rest of her life.
Magdalena worked as a Spanish teacher at Wakefield Country Day School for over 15 years, and later as an early childhood educator at Meadowland Learning Center. Magdalena was active in the Lioness Club and in her local parish of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Her greatest love, particularly in her later years, was travelling to spend time with her children and grandchildren who lived around the world.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. O’Neill (2009), and her daughter, Patricia O’Neill (2021).
She is survived by her children, Robert R. O’Neill of Front Royal, Virginia; John O’Neill and wife Bethany O’Neill of Front Royal, Virginia; Kathleen Lalande and husband Jasmin Lalande of Ottawa, Canada; son-in-law Alain Bernal of Sant Feliu, Spain; eleven cherished grandchildren, Elise, Amanda, Lucas, Matthew, Emma, Carmen, Gabriel, Thomas, Elisabeth, Felix, and Clara; and one precious great-grandchild, Madeleine.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Front Royal, Virginia, conducted by Father Tom Shepanzyk. Interment will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Front Royal, Virginia.
Pallbearers will be Robert R. O’Neill, John F. O’Neill, Alain Bernal, Jasmin Lalande, Lucas Bernal, and Matthew O’Neill.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, January 17, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor: https://littlesistersofthepoor.org/donate-to-lsp/.
Ms. O’Neil was my preschool teacher when I was a child in daycare at meadowland and she was the most sweetest, loving, caring and mostly amazing preschool teacher I ever had. She will always be in my heart and never forgotten, thank you for being my preschool teacher and teaching me wonderful things as a child. may you rest peacefully🥺💙
I have known Ms O’Neill for many years, I loved her dearly. I will miss her many stories she use to tell me about her younger years as well as raising her 4 children in all the different countries they lived in before settling in Front Royal. I feel very blessed to have known her and been able to call her a very dear friend. Robert, Kathleen, John as well as all the rest of her beautiful family please know your in my thoughts and prayers and if I can do anything to help out please don’t hesitate to call. Love and hugs to you all.
My Condolences to O’Neil Family.
all our love, to your family. you were blessed with a wonderful mother. she was beautiful in every way. she was a beautiful example of grace and faith.
I, Humberto Acevedo, grew up where my mother Isabel (Katyre) and her first cousins Magdalena and Consuelito had close family ties. Years later when we reencounter in New York and in Front Royal where we had happy moments of celebrations along with my wife Neyhla and my daughters Monica and Kristine.
We would like to send our most sincere condolences for the irreparable loss to Her children, grandchildren and family, wishing Her a happy reencounter with All her family predecessors in the better life near our creator.
Humberto and Neyhla Acevedo and daughters
Sincères condoléances à Kathleen et à toute la famille.
Nous garderons un très bon souvenir de Madame O’Neill, une femme affable, gentille et généreuse.
My name is Camilo Acevedo Paez, son of Isabel Paez Velazquez. I was fortunate to spend time with Magdalena and her family on various occasions in Bogota in my early youth, and then at her residence in Front Royal during family gatherings. My heartfelt condolences go out to her children and the rest of the family.
On behalf of the Puray family-
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Magdalena. What great lady- full of graciousness and intelligence! She lived her life with true faith, generosity and love towards everyone. We know God will reward her for living a good Christian life. Our hearts and prayers are for peace for her and comfort for all of you!
Sending my heartfelt sympathy and prayers for the entire O’Neill family.
Todo mi aprecio para Roberto, John y Catalina. Magdalena, un ser inolvidable.
Abrazos,
Ricardo Escobar
Magdalena was and is a wonderful, kind, generous soul who has enriched all of us lucky enough to come in contact with her. I am sure she will live on in so many minds and hearts and continue to inspire us. With loving thoughts for all her family in this time of transition.
Bobby O’Neill was my dad’s childhood friend and we met him and Magdalena when we were children. Magdalena was one of the sweetest, kindest ladies we ever knew. I’m just now learning of her passing earlier this year and am so sad that she is gone. But I know she is resting in peace in Heaven. Condolences to her family.