Margaret Ann O'Neill

Margaret Ann Mathews O’Neill, age 83, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

She was born on January 30, 1942, in Jeffersonville, IN, the daughter of the late George Q and Helen Shirley (Tracy) Mathews. Her family moved often to follow the career of her father, and from that experience was born a life-long love of travel.

Margaret graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute in 1964 and began her teaching career in Fairfax County Public Schools, VA. She returned to California to marry her husband, Patrick, and taught in Alameda County Schools until going to Phoenix (AZ), where she completed her master’s degree from Arizona State University while teaching in Phoenix. In 1968 she and her husband returned to Virginia, settling in McLean and then Vienna where Margaret would live for the rest of her life.

A lifelong educator, Margaret spent nearly 50 years as a teacher, administrator, and mentor in Arizona, California, and Virginia. The vast majority of her career was spent teaching elementary school students at Westbriar Elementary in Vienna (VA), usually in first or fourth grades. After retiring from public school teaching in the 1990s, Margaret could not stay away from the classroom and started a new career in teaching at private/Embassy-affiliated schools in the Washington area, where she would go on to serve as both a teacher and principal.

Margaret’s greatest educational gift was teaching young children to not only read but to love to read. She had an uncanny ability to teach reading to students, including those new to the English language. Through her decades of teaching, Margaret helped launch thousands of students on a path of life-long learning.

Outside of work, Margaret loved to play the piano and to sing, and her dulcet voice often stood out at church or home. She was a fan of knitting, reading, sewing, and making homemade gifts for family members to wear.

Margaret was a world traveler from high school on, including most of Europe and Asia. Her favorite place though was the beach, and for years when her children were growing up, she would spend her entire summer calling Ocean City (MD) her home and later in life at Anna Maria Island (FL). She was happiest with her feet in the sand and a book in her hand. Seafood – especially crabs and scallops – were her preferred menu items of choice.

She was a devoted mother and doting grandmother. Margaret spent many a weekend in the bleachers cheering on her children and grandchildren. Over the last 20 years, Margaret helped co-own and run Gypsy Hill Spice Blends, and she loved to spend her weekends at various events selling spices and meeting people.

Margaret was active in the Virginia Education Association for years. She also served on the Board of Trustees for her beloved alma mater Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. In addition, she was active in numerous community organizations.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 60 years, Patrick O’Neill; Her children Colleen O’Neill, and Kevin O’Neill (Patty); her grandchildren John and Kate; her brother Tracy Mathews (Cheryl), her brother Michael Mathews, her sister Patrica Black (Richard), her brother-in-law Alan O’Neill, her brother-in-law Dennis O’Neill (Hang), and sister-in-law Doris Mary O’Neill (George Radu). She is also survived by ten nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.

Interment will be at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College later this spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence of Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana https://spsmw.org/