Charmaine O’Connell
O’Connell (née Clarke), Charmaine
It is with a heavy heart we announce that Charmaine O’Connell (née Clarke), passed away at the age of 66, on Saturday May 8th, 2021. She passed peacefully at her home in Mississauga after a long and courageous battle fighting a rare neurodegenerative brain disorder, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Charmaine was a devoted wife of Daniel, loving mother to Shanna and Tamara, doting grandmother to Chase, caring daughter of Cecilia and Edger Clarke, and supportive eldest sibling to Gillian, David and Richard Clarke. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends who loved her.
Charmaine emigrated from Bombay, India to Montréal, Quebec in 1964 with her family when she was 10 years old. She spent her adolescent and early adult life in Montréal where she graduated from McGill University with a bachelor’s degree in education. In 1990, Charmaine and her family moved to Mississauga, Ontario to pursue her 24 year teaching career at Sts. Martha and Mary Elementary School in Mississauga.
Charmaine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a thoughtful and generous person who was always happy to help others. Charmaine’s dedication and determination was evident through her achievements. Her kind heart and selfless actions were demonstrated in her life everyday. Charmaine enjoyed reading, painting, traveling and gardening where she nurtured the many flowers that adorned her home. Her spirit will always be in our hearts and she will never be forgotten.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions a service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the foundation below:
Trillium Health Partners Foundation
I was so saddened to hear of Charmaine’s illness and passing, and want to offer my sincere condolences to all of the Clarke and O’Connell families. Charmaine & I were friends during our teenage years growing up in Montreal. Her home and family were a warm and welcoming refuge for me. I remember with fondness the family parties and the delicious but spicy curries and other Indian delicacies. Another fond memory was lying on the living room floor early in the morning to watch as Lady Diana married her “prince charming”. Charmaine and her sister Gillian were ‘maid-of-honour’ and bridesmaid at my wedding and I will always treasure the beautiful photo I have of them both from that day. We gradually lost touch in the 2000’s after she had moved to Missisauga and our lives became even busier. May your own beautiful photos and treasured memories of Charmaine comfort and sustain you always. Sincerely, Mary Orlowski
It is indeed a less vibrant and kind world without Charmaine in it. I was a rich blessing to have known and worked with Charmaine. Her kindness was always evident, her faith was a verb, not a noun, her laughter contagious, her devotion to her students inspiring and her samosas unforgettably delicious.
I remember one day in particular when Charmaine asked me if I had a moment, I honestly said no, I was being pulled in so many directions at that moment, she persisted until I finally said yes, please come in. I knew something must have been urgent to her. The urgency? She noticed that I hadn’t eaten and was bringing me a warm samosa. That is one simple yet poignant memory of her unfailing care for others.
Praying for each of you as you mourn Charmaine.
Dan, Shanna and Tamara,
My sincerest condolences to you all. Your mom was a kind woman who loved her family and teaching kids. Samosa day in the staff room was the best, thanks to your mom.
Dear Shanna and Family,
So very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Please accept our deepest condolences.
Sincerely,
Liz & John Kowal
It is with a broken heart that I send my condolences to the O’Connell Family. I will miss you so very much Mama Charmaine. Thank you for all the memories ❤
You will always be in my heart and thoughts