Merry Caroline O'Connell

Merry Caroline O’Connell, 82, of Forestville and Hermosa Beach, California, passed away on July 29, 2024 at Harbor Beach, Michigan. A long-time hospice and oncology nurse, Merry spent much of her life caring for those who were sick and dying.

Born in Hollywood, California on February 17, 1942 to Robert Hollis O’Connell and Nancy (Turner) O’Connell, Merry graduated from Mira Costa High School and met Samuel Huntington Sandt, whom she would later marry and divorce, in a Community College German class before earning her RN. 

Her early work at Kaiser Permanente on a med surg unit led her to her true vocations: oncology and hospice nursing. She set up one of the first inpatient hospice units in the nation at St. Francis Hospital and worked tirelessly to teach and advocate for adequate pain control in terminal patients. In her later years, she organized and facilitated caregiver support groups, helping those who cared for loved ones as they navigated impending loss.

A skilled and avid gardener, Merry could often be found among her roses and hydrangeas. She doted on her plants as if they were children, to the point where one of her grandchildren, when asked to cover a climbing rose with visqueen in the middle of a winter storm, exclaimed, “Nanny, the roses will be fine!” Merry was also well read, loved to discuss politics, and threw wonderful parties. She made the best chiles rellenos in the world, and used every dish in the kitchen to make them.

Merry O’Connell is survived by her sister Elizabeth Mathews, sister Laurie O’Connell and brother Dennis O’Connell; daughter Caroline (Eugene) Goetze, son Samuel Sandt; grandchildren Sarah Bergan, Philip Goetze, Nerissa Sandt, Dane (Kae) Sandt, and Samantha Sandt; great grandchildren Nicholas Dokman, Frederick Schall, Jack Schall, Riyan Goetze, Harper Goetze, Daphne Goetze, Claire Korn, and Maeve Korn.

She is preceded in death by her ex-husband Samuel Sandt, brother William O’Connell, and sister Jill (Mathews) Nandan. 

Merry’s family would like to thank Lakeview Extended Care for their excellence and compassion.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held in California at a later date according to Merry’s wishes. 

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