Rita O'Connell

I am so deeply saddened to hear that Miss O Connell (as I knew her) has passed over. Mo comhbhrón to her family and all who loved her.
She was as exceptional and fabulous an art teacher as any student could wish for and she supported and encouraged me in my art in a way that has accompanied me my whole life. I eventually did go to NCAD in my mid thirties having being gently nudged by Rita so many times when I was in school. I just wasn’t ready at the time. Art has always sustained me and most of my greatest and happiest memories in school was in the creative zone, her art room was such a safe harbour and I will always be so full of gratitude for her beautiful creative gentle and knowledgeable soul. I have and never will forget her.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dilis xx Bláth

I am so sad to have learned of the passing of my sweet Art Teacher from South Pres., Miss O'Connell. I can honestly credit her with much the wonderful creative and adventurous life I have led and continue to live to this day. She quickly saw my potential and encouraged me to keep developing my art and craft. She was thrilled when I was accepted into the Crawford College of Art and Design and even came to visit me at my family home. When I think of significant role models I've encountered throughout my life, she is up there. May you rest in peace Miss O'Connell.

Our sincere condolences to all Rita’s extended family on her passing. May she rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Ritas family it was always a pleasure to spend time in her company she will be missed by all

From: Francoise Daquin Part2
…
I was very fond of the atmosphere of her friendly house with the lovely garden, the amazing workshop full of beautiful paintings. She could paint any kind of subjects, she could try anything. She was so gifted. She was a wonderful artist. I have the privilege at home and in Brittany of having several paintings she did for Margaret and for myself (the last ones are my cat and my Brittany garden from photos). A real treasure for me.
Blessed is Rita who had such gifts and knew how to share them. We’ll miss her a lot and she will be badly missed in Cork too.

You know I share Rita’s deep faith. In spite of my sadness I allow myself to rejoice today because she has met her Lord, her beloved, she is in peace and will continue to take care of you all.
“Whoever believes in me rivers of living water will flow within them” (St John 7).

She will stay in my heart forever.
With fondest love.
Francoise Daquin”.

From: Francoise Daquin Part1
“My tribute for Rita to Rita’s family and friends.
It is impossible for me not writing something about Rita even in a clumsy English… you’ll forgive me.
I met Rita first in 1978 in Paris, thanks to our so late lamented Margaret Griffin, which many of you have known well. Then Rita became my friend too. I must say I am very proud I have known such a marvellous person.
What did I discover and like in Rita? Like you so many many things. I have been always amazed by her bright mind, her genuine modesty, her generosity, her family feeling, her independence of mind, her deep and intelligent faith, her way to accept people as they are, her love for flowers, birds, waterfalls and even worms.
I remember a quotation I got from Margaret and I think it suits Rita well:
“She was the still point of a turning world”.
Rita, Margaret and I shared unforgettable holidays in Brittany, We were together a super trio, singing, laughing, drinking, playing games.
… cont. in Francoise Daquin Part2

My deepest sympathy to all Rita’s family and friends.
Rita was a special lady, I was so fortunate to have known her and I will always cherish my memories, may she Rest in Peace.

Rita was an inspirational lady, a woman of great warmth, energy and activity. Her perspective and insight was amazing and she made such a wonderful contribution to everything she was involved in. She will be hugely missed. May she Rest in Peace.

Sincere sympathy to all of Rita's family for your sad loss ,Rita was a lovely lady.

Sincere condolences to Rita's family and friends She was my colleague for many years in South Pres and was so kind and gentle, yet strong. She was an inspirational teacher and a lady of great faith
May she rest in peace

Sincere condolences to Rita's family
She was a fantastic art teacher, her classes were my favourite times in the school week.
Her influence convinced my Mother to let me study art. I will always be grateful for her gentle persuasion.
May she rest in peace.

RIP Rita. Condolences to all the Bennett’s.

Jonathan, our sincere condolences to you and Rita’s extended family at this sad time, may your Aunt rest in peace

Sincere condolences to Simon and Frances, and girls. May Rita rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to the O'Connell family. Miss O'Connell taught me art in South Pres. A gentle teacher who instilled in me an appreciation and a love of art. Thank you Miss O'Connell and may you rest in peace.

my deepest sympathy to the family, she was such kind caring lady, I always felt enriched having spent time in her presence, may you rest in peace Rita

So sorry not to be there with my cousins, I watched the service at home. Have many fond memories of Rita, especially visiting her and Great-Aunt Rose, with my mother in my teens. She will live on through her paintings that we are fortunate to have, may she rest in peace.

Love to all

Zoë

I am grateful to have known you Rita . You inspired me & many , living your life with great zest, passion & enthusiasm. You didn't sweat the small stuff & motivated us all at CMI meetings. 🙏I still see you standing tall with your 2hands in your front pockets, like a vivacious teenager in more ways than one. Grá & Beannacht. X 🤗

Sincere sympathy to Rita’s family on her passing. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

Kevin & Winnie Horan

Rest in peace Rita. You were an inspiration to many in your dedication to the prayer of silence.

I send my sincere condolences to Rita's family. I always enjoyed meeting Rita.
She was insightful, kind, compassionate.
Rest in peace Rita.

Rita was an inspirational woman who gave so much. I valued her counsel and will miss the stimulating and fun chats.May she Rest in Peace

My sincere sympathy to Rita's extended family. She was a wonderful, kind and generous person. I am privileged to have known her. May she rest in peace.

Miss O Connell was my art teacher all through my time in South Pres.A most splendid teacher who inspired me and encouraged me into the world of art.It was a privilege knowing her.
Past pupil of ‘77.

Sincere Sympathy to Rita’s family. A really nice lady. We went on retreat to Mount Alverna Italy many years ago. It is said St. Francis received the Holy Stigmata on Mount Alverna. The group were from Ireland,England and Italy. Good memories of this Holy Lady. May Rita Rest In Peace

We had the pleasure of meeting Rita at the months mind of my cousin Margaret. We had heard a lot about her over the years, a treasured friend of my cousin. She was a lovely kind and gentle lady.
Our sincere sympathy to all the O'Connell family.

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Rita RIP. We wish to express our sympathy with Rita's family. She was a wonderful lady and a talented artist. May she rest in Peace.
Finbarr and Ann Ronan.

Rita was an inspirational & caring person who gave many hours of her time to be there for anyone in need.

I'm also the proud owner of one of her paintings and it's something I will treasure for the rest of my life.

My condolences to all her family members and friends - she will be missed by all who know her.

May she Rest in Peace.

Many sympathies to all Rita's family and friends on her passing. We have some lovely watercolours by her in our house; they are a lovely reminder of a remarkable lady. May she rest in peace.

We would like to express our sincere sympathy to her extended family on Rita’s passing. RIP.She was a wonderful person who had many talents and touched the lives of many people. She was deeply spiritual and was involved with Christian Meditation Ireland for over 40 years.I’m sure I speak for the countless people who met her on Retreats and Days of Reflection over the years when I say that she was an inspirational person and will be sorely missed. We were privileged to have known her.

My deepest sympathy to Rita’s family.She was a wonderful lady- wise, witty and kind. She shared her immense knowledge of art and in particular art history with those of us who knew her through the Art Teacher’s Association. It was always a pleasure to meet her. Suaimhneas sioraí dá hanam.

Sincere sympathy to Ms O Connells family. She was my art teacher in South Pres, a great teacher who gave me a love of art that I still enjoy. A lovely gentle lady. Rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to all of Rita’s family on her sad passing. She was a most wonderful lady, a teaching colleague for many years, indeed we both started in South Pres. on the same day. Nothing was ever too much trouble for her, and year after year she painted the most terrific scenery for our Christmas shows. A remarkable person. RIP Rita

Our sympathies to all the family on their bereavement. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

I had the absolute privilege of teaching with Rita for 15 years. A smarter, kinder, more genuinely caring person would be difficult to find. It was always a pleasure to meet her. May she rest in peace.

Condolence to the O'Connell Family on the sad passing of Rita she was a lovely neighbour and a gentle and genuine lady.

Sincere condolences to Rita's family, relatives and friends on her sad passing. It was a pleasure to have known such a lovely, kind, caring and inspirational lady. May she rest in peace.

Rest in peace Rita. Our condolences to the O’Connell & Bennett families

Our deepest sympathy to the OConnell family on the death of Rita a lovely lady who we have known for many years Rita always had a beautiful smile whenever we meet her She will be so sadly missed May she rest in peace

A life well lived by a woman well loved. Rest in peace lovely lady. Condolences to all Rita's family, colleagues and friends.

One of a kind. I have had the great privilege of knowing Rita for the past few years. She truly was a wonderful, inspirational, intellectual, witty, kind, gentle human being. A lady. I am sad and I will miss her dearly. My heartfelt condolences to Rita’s family and her many friends.

Such sad news . Ms O Connell was such an inspirational lady my art teacher in South Pres. Everyone loved her class and she brought out the best in us . (Class of 88’)
What a lovely lady .
Never forgotten. RIP.

Deepest sympathies to the O’Connell family on the passing of Ms O’Connell, wonderful passionate art teacher during my days at South Pres.
May she rest peacefully.

My sincere condolences to the family of Miss O’Connell, whose art classes I always looked forward to during my time in South Pres. May you Rest in Peace.

My sincere condolences to the O’Connell family on the passing of Miss O’Connell.

Miss O’Connell was a wonderful art teacher at South Pres. She knew I wasn’t suited to law over 20 years before I did (she gently expressed her worry about it when I said that was my choice). She knew (like my mother) that I was naturally drawn to the symbolic, and she encouraged that in me. I’m very grateful to her for that acknowledgement at such a young age. She also encouraged my love of drawing flowers, still a great pleasure of mine today. How lucky we all were to have such a reflective, gentle, dedicated and intelligent teacher. She was truly lovely, and often in my mind over the years. I can easily imagine how those in distress would have benefitted from her empathy and gentleness at the Samaritans.

May she rest in great peace.

Our condolences to Rita’s family and friends. She was a deeply loved, valued and inspirational member of Cork Samaritans. A woman of compassion, warmth, empathy, and humour. Rita touched everyone she met. We value her time and all she gave to the branch and will truly miss her. May she RIP. Cork Samaritans

Deepest sympathy to the O'Connell& Bennet families and all who mourn Rita. A wonderful lady .rest in peace

Mary Alice & jer

Sincere sympathy to the O'Connell family on Rita's death. I had the pleasure of working with her for a number of years. She was a wonderful person - a powerhouse.
May she rest in peace.

My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Rita.i had the privilege to work with her. Rita was truly an inspirational and beautiful person. May her gentle soul rest in peace

A lovely lady. May she rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to the O Connell family at this sad time,Ms O Connell was a kind,gentle lady and an encouraging art teacher to all her pupils in South Pres,may she rest in peace

Rita was such a knowledgeable and witty lady full of interesting life stories. I always enjoyed our chats, may she RIP

My condolences to the family. She was a gentle and inspirational person, very intelligent and kind.

My deepest condolences to Ms. O'Connell's family and friends. She was both my class and Art teacher, a kind and gentle person and a wonderful teacher.

Dear Rita, a beautiful lady. I had heard about you, for years, through a dear mutual friend of ours, Margaret, who sadly passed, 2 years ago. I met you, at Margaret's month's mind and knew you were special. Rest in peace and say hello to Margaret.
Condolences to your family,
Norma and Eoin O'Sullivan

I was blessed to have such wonderful teachers while in South Pres including Miss o Connell, she was always so lovely , Rest in peace now!

My condolences to all Ms. O'Connell's family and friends., she was a lovely person and a marvellous teacher. May Ms. O'Connell Rest In Peace. Amen

I was blessed and privileged to call Rita my friend . She was a unique and inspirational woman . My deepest condolences to the O’Connell family . Rest in peace now Rita.

Miss O’ Connell was my class teacher in South Pres, she was a wonderful teacher, my deepest condolences to her family, may she rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to the O’Connell family on the sad loss of Rita. Ms O’Connell was such a great teacher. She introduced me to art and a love of art which is still with me to this day. May she rest in peace.