Margie Jilbert O’Connell

She was born on April 20, 1932, in Lake Linden to William R. and Marion C. Jilbert. Margie was raised in Lake Linden and attended Lake Linden schools as well as helping on her family’s dairy farm.

She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1954 with a degree in education and remained active in the alumni association and her blood remained “true blue.”

She worked in the Houghton, Lake Linden and Calumet Public Schools as a physical education teacher and then became the Calumet Public and School Librarian until her retirement in 1996. As part of the Calumet High School “Mrs. O.” was active in school activities including advisor to the pep club, cheerleading squad and senior classes. She loved her students and has influenced countless lives throughout her career. Many keeping in touch with her and checking in now and then.

No one was a stranger to Margie. She could strike up a conversation with anyone as if she knew them forever. Over the years she loved to garden, dance, share her sense of humor, take annual sisters’ trips and visit with her girls and families.

On December 28, 1954, she married Eugene “Oakie” O’Connell, who preceded her in death in 1984. Together they raised five girls, Kathy Pintar, Chris (Gerard) Newman, Kelly (Bill) Ball, Julie (Sam) Stukel and Karyn Roberts.

Margie’s greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren, Caitlin (Nick) Lutomski, Alyssa Newman, Patrick Stukel, Andrew (Katlyn Blassic) Stukel, Samantha Ball, and Abigail, Joel, and Caleb Roberts.

In the last few years, she enjoyed having some of her grand “fur” babies visit, Duke, Max, Kiaya, Bailey, Leo, Jax, Preston, Petunia, Jerry and Maggie. Always willing to share a little taste of something with them.

In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by siblings, David, Mary, John, Patsy, and Jeannie; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She will be reunited with her loved ones, her parents; husband, Oakie; brothers, Billy and Peter; grandson, Billy; and her longtime companion, Jack MacDonald.

The family would like to thank Amy, Debbie, Ellen, Kathy B., Kathy S., Mary, Rita and Tracy for their kindness, compassionate care, and friendship to Margie. They would also like to thank UP Health System Home Care & Hospice.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at Sacred Heart Church at 4 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Gracious Pulimoottil officiating.

You may meet the family at the church prior to the mass beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Burial will be in the spring at Lake View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the families ask for donations to be made to UP Health System Home Care & Hospice or your local animal shelter.

Online condolences for the family may be left at ericksoncrowley.com

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home will be assisting the family with arrangements.