Patricia O’Neill (center) receives the 2016 Robert H. Quinn Award from Chancellor Motley and Elaina Quinn at Umass Boston | Photo courtesy of Harry BrettBorn and raised in the neighborhood of Dorchester, Massachusetts, Patricia Eleanor (McGrath) O’Neill passed away at the age of 80 on April 22, 2020.
O’Neill is remembered as a community advocate and leader. She was president of the Ashmont-Adams Neighborhood Association for nearly 20 years and, among many things, helped found and coordinate the Annual Dorchester Chili Cook-Off.
In 2016, O’Neill received the Robert H. Quinn Award for Outstanding Community Leadership from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She was also honored by the Dorchester YMCA and by Boston Main Streets.
Pat, as she was also known, is survived by her sons David X. O’Neill and Patrick J. O’Neill. Her grandchildren Kane X. O’Neill and Jaxson D. O’Neill and her sister, MaryAnn Nourse.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Pat O’Neil. From the annual Chili Cook-off to the Peabody Square Holiday Celebrations, she dedicated her life to sharing simple joy with her community,” Dorchester neighbor and current Mayor of Boston Marty Walsh expressed in a statement.
