Joan M. O’Neill, of Holland, died on Thursday, October 13, at home peacefully surrounded by her loving family. She was 59. Joan was the beloved wife of Robert O’Neill for 38 years, and the loving mother of Robert James, Ryan Patrick and his wife Amy, and Shannon Marie O’Neill.

Joan was born in Philadelphia, and raised in Croydon, one of 12 children. She graduated in 1975 from Bishop Conwell. She started working at the Frankford Arsenal, Johnsville Naval Base, Galaxy Scientific and most recently SRA International where she was an operations manager.

Joan was very successful professionally, but the job that brought her the most joy and happiness in life was being a wife to Rob and mother to her three beautiful children. She was so proud of each of them, and her favorite memories were beach trips to Cape May and Sea Isle City, and Naples, FL. She also enjoyed spending time with her sisters and brothers for holidays and birthdays. She enjoyed being active, traveling, reading, most importantly helping others.

Joan will be deeply by missed by her mother, Joan Murphy and the late James Murphy. Also preceded in death by her sister Diane Galasso, her sister-in-law Catherine O’Neill, and father-in-law Raymond O’Neill. She is survived by her siblings and their spouses, James Murphy (Beth), Kathy Hempel, Frank Murphy, Ann Marie Murphy, Thomas Murphy (Kim), Mary Kay Roman (Bob), Michael Murphy (Candace), Coleen Murphy, Denise Pickard (John), Cyndi Lanzidelle, and brother-in-law Michael Galasso. Joan is also survived by her mother-in-law Josephine O’Neill, sister-in-law Josephine Haviland (Rusty), brother-in-law Raymond O’Neill (Marguerite), sister-in-law Marion McKnight (Glenn), Elizabeth Marschall (Dave), Barbara Detweiler (Keith), and Peggy McClean (Steve). Joan is survived by so many nieces, nephews, and many special friends.

Joan suffered from MSA for 7 long difficult years. She fought every single day, a hopeless battle, with dignity and grace. Her spirit was strong, never complaining or afraid. She held onto her faith and family, smiling and laughing through it all. She truly was a remarkable person that we all had the honor and privilege of knowing. She was loved by all, and will be forever in the hearts of those who knew her.

The O’Neill family would like to thank Dr. Daniel Kremens (Thomas Jefferson), Anne Coste (Thomas Jefferson), and especially her hospice nurse Nicole Ewerth from Main Line Health, who took care of her with such compassion and kindness.

Family and friends are invited to greet the family on Thursday, October 20 from 9:00am until the start of her funeral mass at 11:30am at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Road, Holland, PA 18966. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joan’s memory to the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, noting MSA research in the memo line, at 900 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107.