Virginia L. Mari O'Donnell

Virginia L. Mari O'Donnell passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 22, 2025, with her loving husband and boys by her side. She was 73. Born in Bristol, daughter of the late Louis R. and Virginia (nee Hickey) Mari, she was a lifelong Bristol resident. Ginny (or “Sparky” as her beloved dad called her) was a graduate of St. Ann School and Bristol High School, Class of 1969, and went on to graduate with honors from Pierce College. She was employed as an Executive Secretary for the New Jersey Education Association for 17 years and worked for many years at the Bristol Borough Tax Office. She was a proud Bristolian and an active member of St. Mark Church. She volunteered for the St. Mark CYO Program for many years alongside her husband, where they served as Athletic Director and coaches, and enjoyed volunteering at the annual St. Ann Carnival. Ginny was a talented seamstress and an avid Philly sports fan. She loved reading, gardening, and putting her toes in the sand on LBI. She was also a world-class Mimi, never missing her grandkids’ sporting events, dance recitals, school concerts, and cheerleading competitions. It simply cannot be overstated how much of a gift she was to her family, and how they all adored her.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Kevin O'Donnell, her four sons, Colin O'Donnell and his wife, Shanna, Evan O'Donnell and his wife, Briana, Eric O'Donnell, and Jonathan O'Donnell, her cherished grandchildren, Rian, Brendan, Dillon, Keiran, Raelyn, Thomas, Celia, Zoey, and Lucas, and her loving Border Terrier Maggie Mae.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Mass on Saturday, March 29, 2025, 11am at St. Mark Church, Bristol Borough. Interment will follow at St. Mark Church Columbarium. Visitation hours will be held on Saturday morning from 9-10:45am at the Wade Funeral Home, 1002 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Borough. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made in Ginny’s honor to the Margeret R. Grundy Memorial Library and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, commemorating her hometown pride and love of books and children.