Rita Josephine O’Connell passed away on July 11, 2026, at the age of 99, in Dunwoody, Georgia. She was born in Omaha, Nebraska on November 22, 1926. Rita was a resident of Atlanta, Georgia for several years.

Rita graduated from Creighton University in 1948, and continued her education at St. Louis University. She graduated in 1950 with a master’s degree in social work. It was there at St. Louis University that she met her beloved husband, Patrick F. O’Connell, who was a Career Navy Flight Surgeon and Psychiatrist. They moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida, and lived there from 1970 onward.

She enjoyed participating in swimming, tennis, and running, as well as volunteering at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

Rita is preceded in death by her husband, Captain Patrick F. O’Connell M.D., who passed away in the year 2000.

She is survived by her six children Carol Olsen (Don) of Duncan, South Carolina; Ruthann O’Connell of Atlanta, Georgia; Beverly Ashenden (Tom) of Atlanta, Georgia; Judge Frank O’Connell (Shelia) of Marietta, Georgia; Captain Steve O’Connell (Carla); and Sheila Clare O’Connell of Palm Desert, California, as well as her seven grandchildren, Mark Olsen, Katie Ashenden, Madeline Jones, Bennett & Brady O’Connell, and Elyse & Grace O’Connell respectively.

Visitation will be held at Rose Lawn Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 6:30 PM CST to 8 PM CST.

A memorial service will be held the following day on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM CST in St. Ann’s Catholic Church of Gulf Breeze, Florida. Monsignor Luke Hunt will be leading the service, with Don Olsen, Mark Olsen, Tom Ashenden, Frank O’Connell, Bennett O’Connell, and Brady O’Connell serving as pallbearers.

There will be a private interment service at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola NAS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Relief Services at CRS.org.