Bernetta I. O'Connell

December 23, 2012

DEXTER, N.Y.  —  Bernetta Irene Flavin O’Connell, 89, of 153 Mary St., Watertown, died Saturday, Dec. 22, at Mercy Care Center, Watertown.

Mrs. O’Connell was born March 16, 1923 in Potsdam, daughter of Thomas and Julia Raymo Flavin.  She graduated from Watertown High School in 1941.  

She married Daniel David O’Connell of Watertown on April 19, 1942, in the Woolworth Building offices of County Judge Howard B. Donaldson, who officiated. The couple lived in Watertown most of their married life. Mr. O’Connell died May 11, 1995.  

Mrs. O’Connell was a homemaker but worked at various places early in her marriage and worked part time at the Watertown City Clerk’s office before her retirement.

Surviving are a son, Daniel P., and daughter-in-law, Kathryn (Devine), Dexter, and their children: Colleen (Dj) Ellingsworth, Champion, great grandchildren Rachel and Dylan; Daniel (Lynn) of Methuen, MA and great grandchildren Danny and Gavin; Thomas (Kathleen) Dexter and great grandchildren Tommy, Jillian, Brooke and Brady;  Michael (Katya) Waltham, MA and great grandchildren Vladimir, Ella and Nina; Kathleen (Jason) McManaman of Brownville, and great grandchildren Hannah, Matthew, Kailin and Ryan; Patrick (Janice) Waverly, N.Y. and Meghan of Watertown; a daughter-in-law, Sarah (Carter) O’Connell, Glen Park, a grandson, Dennis, and granddaughters, Jennifer Grauer, Kansas and husband, Joseph Deitchman; great-grandson, Joshua Grauer and step great grandsons, Matthew and Michael Deitchman; and Kerry (Rudy) Lindsey, N. Carolina and great grandsons Branden, Jaiden, Logan and Mason; two brothers, Patrick of Oklahoma and Jefferson (Jeff) of Florida; plus several nieces and nephews.

A son Richard P. died April 18, 2003.  Two brothers Thomas M. “Zeke” Flavin and John “Jack” Flavin and two sisters, Veronica “June” Hockey and Margaret “Maggie” Marino also died before her as well as a great grand-daughter Polina Erin O’Connell.

Bernetta loved spending time with her family, singing around the piano or guitar. She was known for baking her fabulous wacky cakes for family, friends, girls at the bank or Kinney’s, her doctor and anyone else she thought deserved one.  

Berna enjoyed a lively card game, whether “Gin Rummy”, Pitch or Hearts.

There will be no calling hours. Arrangements are with Johnson Funeral Home. A private memorial will be held in the spring.  

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s’ Association.

Information provided by Johnson Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.