Estelle O'Neil

Estelle Shirley (Ehnstrom) O’Neil, 92, of Jaffrey, passed on peacefully on Friday, November 12, 2021 after a period of declining health.

Estelle was born February 2, 1929, in Gardner, MA, the youngest of four children of the late Evert and Edith (Herrgård) Ehnstrom. She was raised in Gardner and Templeton, MA and graduated from Narragansett Regional High school in Baldwinville, MA in 1947. She married David ‘Bun’ O’Neil on July 21, 1951, and together they settled in Jaffrey, NH for the remaining 59 years of their marriage.

Estelle, being true to her Swedish heritage, always had baked goods prepared to be shared with visitors along with an afternoon coffee. Her contagious laugh and brilliant smile always attracted a host of guests to stop in for an impromptu coffee and good conversation with Bun & Essie. When her grandchildren were younger, it was always a treat when Gram would make her Swedish Coffee Bread for an after school snack. She was also a caregiver to her family, taking care of her father and mother-in-law, down to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always willing to give to others. Estelle and Bun enjoyed many camping trips to the coast of Maine and the White Mountains of NH.

Estelle worked for many years at New Hampshire Ball Bearing in Peterborough, NH; Goodnow Bros. in Keene, NH; and ultimately in the lunch program at Jaffrey-Rindge Middle School, where she became affectionately known as “Gram” from the students. She was also committed to serving the United Church of Jaffrey, where she served as a member of the “Triple D”, contributing to providing meals and service for church functions. She was a blessing to all who knew her and loved by all who met her.

In addition to the her parents and siblings, Estelle was preceded in passing by her son, Barry H. O’Neil, on January 5, 1979, her husband, David ‘Bun” O’Neil, on June 7, 2011, her son in law David G. Arceci, on March 25, 2006, her granddaughter, Lisa A. Arceci, on September 12, 2014, and her grandson, Aaron J. Arceci, on April 21, 2015.

She is survived by her five children, Michael D. O’Neil and his wife, Tina, of Jaffrey; Peggy L. Lambert and her husband Dennis, of Jaffrey; Timothy J. O’Neil and his wife Donna, of Jaffrey; Karen M. Arceci, of Jaffrey; and John C. O’Neil and his wife Melda, of Greenville, NH; her grandchildren, Mathew Lambert and his wife Lisa, Carrie O’Neil, Patrick O’Neil and his wife Crystle, Gina Arceci-Raymond and her husband Johnathan, Meghan O’Neil and her husband George, Nikki O’Neil, Charmaine Peard and her husband Matthew, Amalia Arnold and her husband Benjamin, Nena O’Neil, David Arceci, Johnna O’Neil, Peggy Arceci-Sorvisto and her partner Dan Kormarzec; and Christina Arceci; forty great- grandchildren, one great-great -grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are warmly welcome to visitation at Cournoyer Funeral Home, 33 River Street, Jaffrey from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Wednesday, November 17, 2021. Estelle’s Funeral Service, will be held immediately following at Conant Cemetery, Stratton Road, Jaffrey at 2:00 pm.

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Jaffrey, 54 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH 03452