Pamela ‘Pammy’ O’Neal, 69, of Vero Beach, passed away on Jan. 13, 2016 at the VNA Hopsice.
She is survived by her beloved husband, James “Jimmy” H. O’Neal, sister-in-law, Barbara O’Neal, nephews, Kevin and Todd O’Neal and Christy O’Neal and their children, Cadence and Sean.
O’Neal was born on April 7, 1946 in Newton Highlands, Mass., to her mother Marion A. Morrow Birtwistle and father Colonel Owen G. Birtwistle, U.S. Airforce.
She was married to James H. O’Neal for 30 years.
O’Neal’s favorite things were traveling to Essex, Mass. to visit with friends and relatives. She loved steamed, fried clams and especially Maine Lobster.
She described herself as an Airforce brat, living in multiple locations throughout the United States and abroad. She smiled for everyone and made certain to shake the hand of a Veteran, thanking them for their service. She was always honest and greatful. She was willing to lend a sympathetic ear and help those in need. We were inseparable for thirty years. Side by side in sickness and health. I’ll miss her.
Her husband James O’Neal writes:
“Pennies From Heaven”
O’Neal was so blessed. Her mom passed away unexpected and we drove all night from Hendersonville, N.C. to Vero. She cried Daddy “I wish Mommy would give me a sign that she’s alright.”
There it was on the outdoor carpet leading into the condo, a wheat penny bearing the date “Pam” had been conceived “1945.” It just seem to appear since it wasn’t there when we arrived. Her Mom collected wheat pennies. No one else was around.
Then when her father passed away, we drove with his cremains to Glochester, Mass. to be placed with her mom. We were going to the car following the ceremony and next to the car there was a penny on a little patch of snow. She picked it up and it was a 1945 wheat penny.
Recently, O’Neal was in a deadly bout with aggressive Leukemia, requiring numerous hospital stays and transfusions. Even though she had previously beat colon cancer, she was losing this battle.
One day around Christmas we had returned home from the hospital and this time discovered a 1945 wheat penny in a very conspicuous spot, leading into our living room from the garage. The garage doors where closed leaving no outside access to the laundry room, and nobody was around, on my third run from the dryer into the house, the penny miraculously appeared on the stoop. It wasn’t there before. I handed it to Pammy, then and there we agreed that no matter what happened from that time on everything was going to be alright. The pennies are placed in lockets for safe keeping. Where they will remain as tangible, incontrovertible proof of life after.
May God richly bless you, please share this message with others in Loving Memory of Pamela B. O’Neal.
On online guestbook may be signed at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com