Lois D. O'Neill

O’NEILL, LOIS DOROTHY (née Hermes) was born on February 5, 1929 in Escanaba, Michigan. She was raised with two siblings, Samuel and Gordon and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic High School where she participated in cheerleading, student council, and various charitable activities. Lois was very outgoing and fun loving and was affectionately tagged with the nickname “Herm”. This nickname stuck with Lois throughout her life. Close friends and family knew her simply as “Herm”. After graduation Lois left Escanaba to attend St. Luke’s Nursing School in Marquette, Michigan where she earned her registered nurse degree. During her schooling, Lois blossomed into a gregarious, fun, loving, optimistic person. These characteristics grew with her throughout her life. Towards the end of her nursing training she met Paul who would soon become the love of her life for 64 years. Shortly after graduation in November of 1951 she and Paul were married. They soon moved to Pontiac, Michigan where they were to begin their new lives together. Lois took a nursing job at Pontiac General Hospital as a surgical nurse while Paul taught in the Waterford Township School District. Her nursing career was put on hold in 1953 when she and Paul started their family. Lois’s family was her pride and joy. She was a dedicated mother always putting her family first. Over the course of the next 12 years she had three sons and two daughters, Stephen O’Neill, William (Evelyn) O’Neill, Timothy O’Neill, the late Janet O’Neill, and Peggy (Robert) Lederer and she was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her beloved Paul in 2017. Lois loved her family and friends. She would take any opportunity to get as many of them together as possible for a party. Every holiday would be celebrated in grand fashion. We will remember her for the wonderful dinners and parties she threw for her family and friends. St. Patrick’s Day was one of the biggest holidays for her. She would decorate the entire house inside and out in green and have up to 20 friends and family over for a feast of corned beef and cabbage with all the trimmings. She will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew her. Funeral mass will be held Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Lakes Church, 5481 Dixie Highway, Waterford. In state 9:30 AM until time of mass. Arrangements entrusted to COATS FUNERAL HOME-WATERFORD.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Lois D. O'Neill, please visit our Tree Store.