Woman with strong connection to East Mayo passes away in New York

Bernice O’Neill (née Grogan) of Middle Village, Queens, New York, who died on March 12, had strong Ballyhaunis connections. She was born on July 17, 1934, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the second child and only daughter of Martin and Mary Grogan (née Waldron). She had two brothers, Martin Jr and Walter.

Bernice was raised in Hazelhill, Ballyhaunis. She returned to New York City when she was 18 years old and worked as a waitress on the Upper East Side and sometimes out on Long Island in the summer. During her 20s, she loved going to the movies on her days off and would often attend a double feature on Saturdays.

She also enjoyed live music with friends at local Irish dance halls. She met her husband, James O’Neill, at the well-known music venue, The Jaeger House, where he was performing as the singing half of The O’Neill Brothers band. Bernice and James married in 1960 and had three children, Susan, James and Joanne. They settled in Middle Village, Queens, NY in 1962, where they were founding parishioners of the newly-created Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church. She spent some years at home with her children while they were young and then returned to the workforce in a position with the NYC Department of Education.

She spent 20 years serving Newtown High School. Bernice was known for her strong faith and for how deeply she believed in the power of prayer. She lit a candle in her home and prayed for anyone in a time of need or trouble. She was skilled with technology and often texted and video called on her iPad. People would tell her she looked like Maureen O’Hara, a Hollywood actress famous in the 50s. She had a great laugh and a wry sense of humor; if she made a dark joke, she would laugh and say “I’m Irish! That’s our sense of humor!” She loved to chat and tell stories and had a keen memory of the past.

She was elegant and full of class. She set a dining table fit for royalty. She was a great cook and her gravy recipe is coveted by her family. Bernice’s funeral service was held at Our Lady of Hope Church in Middle Village, NY, on March 17, 2026, fittingly on St Patrick’s Day.

Bernice, who was predeceased her husband of 61 years, James, her daughter, Joanne, and her granddaughter, Heather, is survived by her family, Susan and James, her grandchildren, Tracy, Allie, Matthew, Michael and Liam, her cherished great-grandchildren, Marguerite and Michael, her honorary grandson Luke Renda, her special grandson-in-law Michael Polcino, and by many loved extended family members.