Irene M. (Dennis) O'Donnell

Irene M. (Dennis) O’Donnell, 89, of Syracuse, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, surrounded by her loving daughters.

In 1956, Irene married the love of her life, Morgan, and together they built a beautiful family. When Morgan became ill in 1975, Irene cared for him with devotion for seven years until his passing in 1982—all while continuing to raise their young children. Her unwavering strength, resilience, and positive spirit became the foundation of the family, and she remained their rock throughout her life.

A woman of deep faith, Irene was a longtime member of St. Ann’s and Most Holy Rosary churches in Syracuse. She filled her days with the simple joys she loved most—sewing, knitting, reading, and cheering for Syracuse football and basketball. She was also dedicated to giving back, making sandwiches for the Oxford House and knitting mittens and slippers for veterans.

Irene’s home was her heart. She cherished her little house, where she lived for 67 years, the last of the original neighbors on a block filled with treasured memories. She welcomed new families with joy, delighted to see the street she loved filled with new life.

Above all, Irene’s greatest love was children. In her younger years, she cared for the little ones of other families, and later, she poured her heart into caring for her own grandchildren. Some of the family’s best memories were made when all the cousins gathered together under her care, filling her home with laughter and love.

Irene will be remembered for her boundless generosity, unshakable strength, and the love she gave so freely to her family, friends, and community.

Irene was predeceased by her beloved husband, Morgan, daughter, Karen McConnell; son-in-law, Robert Frigon; brothers, William, Charles, Jeremiah, and Richard; and sister, Dorothy.

Surviving are her daughters, Peggy Frigon, Barbara (David) Nesci, Katie (Lonny) Bornstein, and Irene (Paul) Holsinger; son-in-law, Robert McConnell; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Kate) Frigon, Jennifer (Nicholas) Gallo, Heather (Michael) Griswold, Kimberly Nesci, Cailin (William) Bailey, Zachary and Abigail Bornstein, Jack and Morgan Holsinger; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Suzanne (Eugene) Nichols; and many nieces and nephews.

In keeping with Irene’s wishes, there will be no calling hours, and burial will be private.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 9 a.m. in Most Holy Rosary Church, 111 Roberts Ave., Syracuse.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Oxford House, Inc., 1010 Wayne Ave., Ste. 300, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692, or to the 2025 Upstate Cancer Center Annual Fund, The Upstate Foundation, Inc., 750 E. Adams St., Syracuse, NY 13210.