Loretta O’Connell

Loretta Ann (Knapp) O’Connell passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 13, 2025.

Loretta was born on December 1, 1940 in Queens, NY, the daughter of the late Michael Francis Knapp and Rose Marie (Cantolupo) Knapp.

Her family later moved to Freehold, NY where she attended Cairo High School, graduating in 1958. It was there that she met the love of her life, Jimmy O’Connell. They married on September 23, 1961 at Sacred Heart Church in Cairo and eventually settled in Pearl River, NY.

A loving and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother and great -grandmother, Loretta always put others before herself. To have known Loretta was to know kindness, compassion and incredible strength.

Loretta was predeceased by her husband, James Joseph O’Connell III; her son Michael James O’Connell; her parents; and her brother, Raymond Knapp.

She is survived by her children: Kelly Iannandrea (Joe), Jill McWilliams-Salvati (Mike), James O’Connell IV (Danielle) and Wendy Blackledge; her grandchildren: Jessica Jenkins (James), Michael McWilliams (Mairead), Rebecca Iannandrea (Roland), Matthew Iannandrea, Luna O’Connell, James O’Connell V, Zoe Blackledge, Hunter Blackledge; and her great grandchildren: Olivia, Liam, Aden and Beau.

Loretta attended NYU at Bellevue from 1958-1961, graduating with a BS in nursing. As a registered nurse, she worked the majority of her career as the head RN at Bayer/Siemens Diagnostics in Tarrytown, NY. She also worked as a hospice nurse at Fordham University.
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Loretta dedicated herself to her children, her work and her community, oftentimes volunteering at Pearl River High School fundraising events, especially the annual Michael O’Connell Wrestling Tournament. Throughout it all, she always made sure to find the time to be at the various sporting events of her children, including volunteering as a softball coach.

After many years of dedication and service in nursing, Loretta retired to Cape Canaveral Florida in 2008 where she was actively involved in local elections and her Homeowners Association Board. She enjoyed bingo, space coast rocket launches, family trips to the Bahamas, and especially spoiling her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Loretta leaves behind a legacy of strength, compassion and determination. She always led by example and her selfless dedication to her children, family, community and patients will sorely be missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The family invites all family and friends to join them for a celebration of life that will be held at the Red Rooster, 845 Main Street, Cairo, on May 31 beginning at noon.