Grace A. (Lerette) O'Connell

Mrs. Grace A. (Lerette) O’Connell, of Sudbury, formerly of Waltham, died Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Bridges by Epoch in Sudbury. She was 97.

Grace was born in Everett on April 18, 1928, a daughter of the late George and Marie (Ouellette) Lerette. Her family moved to Waltham in 1938 and was a graduate of Saint Mary's High School.

Grace married Patrick Joseph ‘Buddy’ O’Connell, Jr. in 1947 and they purchased their first home together on Friend Street in Waltham where they raised their four children and shared their life together until his passing in 2017. After the children were grown she went back to school and earned her college degree.

Grace was an accomplished artist in watercolor, oil painting and wax candle painting. She had always enjoyed sharing her natural talent with her friends and students. Grace was also an expert quilter. She taught quilting classes to many students throughout the years and much of her work is displayed all over New England. Her eye for realistic blending of colors was stunning.

Recently, Bridges put on an Art/Quilt exhibit of her works. She was also a longtime member of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish and loved spending time with the friends she made at the Waltham Senior Center.

Grace was predeceased in death by her husband, Patrick Joseph ‘Buddy’ O’Connell Jr., and her sister, Jean Gaudette.

She leaves her children, Paul J. O’Connell and his wife, Isabelle M., of Pepperell, Donald P. O’Connell and his wife, Sandra, of Stow, Joanne E. Mickens of Waltham, and Therese M. Willstaedt and her husband, Eric, of Frederick, Maryland; her grandchildren, Sean O’Connell (Gayle), Sarah O’Connell (fiancé Craig), Jeff O’Connell, Chris O’Connell, Melissa Nolte, Vivian Willstaedt, Sunny Willstaedt, Allison Willstaedt; 3 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Norma McCullough of Waltham, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Grace's life by gathering for an Afternoon Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday November 30th from 2 to 5 p.m. and again on Monday morning when her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.