Obituary of Betty E. O'Neill

Betty O’Neill, 86, a long-time resident of Hightstown, NJ, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor with her family by her side.

Born in Uwchlan Township, PA, Betty’s family relocated to Lawrenceville, NJ before finally settling in Hightstown, NJ for the remainder of her life.  She served as an Executive Secretary at both Johnson & Johnson and Merrill Lynch.  To keep busy in retirement, Betty later worked as a receptionist at the Hightstown YMCA.

Her fondest memories were family vacations and time spent traveling with her late husband, Eugene O’Neill, to destinations near and far.  Most important to her though was spending time with her siblings and reminiscing about the good old days on the family farm.  Betty also enjoyed attending any gathering that included her children and their families.  She considered herself blessed with all the love and joy her grandchildren and great-grandchildren showered her with. 

Predeceased by her parents, Peter and Clara Esch; her beloved husband, Eugene O’Neill; her son, Michael O’Neill; her daughter, Peggy Kiernan; her sister, Sharon Ward, and her brother, Donald Esch.  She is survived by her daughter, Bethany Murranko (Mark); her daughter-in-law, Jane; her son-in-law, Jay Kiernan; her grandchildren, Jimmy O’Neill, Lindsay Crucius (Derick), Sean Morris (Jess), Katelyn Schmidt (Tim), and Connor O’Neill (Dana); her 5 great-grandchildren; her sister, Darlene Fiscus; and her brother, Edward Esch.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua RC Church, 156 Maxwell Avenue, Hightstown, NJ.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at the Church. 

Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hightstown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Betty’s memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting https://www.stjude.org/

Arrangements are under the direction of Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Services at Glackin Chapel, 136 Morrison Ave., Hightstown, NJ.