- Date Of Death: January 24, 2022
- State: Michigan
Dorothy A. “Dottie” O’Connell, 94, of Escanaba, passed away on January 24, 2022 at Bishop Noa Home, she resided at West Highland until June of 2021. Dottie was born on September 13, 1927 in Oconto, WI to Florence (Trepanier) and George LaChapelle.
She moved with her family to Escanaba and graduated from St. Joe’s High School. In November of 1949 She married George O’Connell and they began their life and later their business together. Dottie raised their three children and did bookkeeping for their Phillips 66 gas station and fuel oil business.
George and Dottie enjoyed many years at the camp they built together on Stella Lake, snowmobiling, playing music and riding on the pontoon. Dottie had a positive, fun, can-do attitude that carried her through all of life’s twists and turns including losing George in 1980.
Her life always had music in it and most often she was part of making it. She started in a family band as a child, played drums in St. Joe’s high school band, played keyboard or guitar at senior centers and nursing homes throughout Upper Michigan, Joel’s and other area restaurants, for Remnants Barbershop Chorus intermissions, the Tri-County Volunteer Fire Department Flea Market, and for over 15 years every Friday and Saturday Night at the Firekeepers Restaurant. She could never read a note of music, but if you hummed the tune or gave her a recording she would be playing and singing it in no time. She passed her musical genes on to her children and grandchildren and she was very active in their lives going to plays, concerts and events they were involved in.
Dottie will be missed by her family. Son Dennis (Pat) O’Connell, Escanaba, MI and their son Brent (Jeana) O’Connell. Daughter Debbie (Ned Marks) Hiler, Sherwood, WI and her children Stacie (Bob) Stanton, Deer Park, IL (great-granddaughters Lucy and Maria,) Stephen (Jackie) Shepich of Iron River, MI (great-grandsons Tyler (Jenna) and Eric (Emily) Stafford,) Scott (Shelby) Shepich, Gwinn, MI (great-grandson Ethan.) Daughter Peggy (Raymond Sheldon) O’Connell, Escanaba, MI and her children Molly (Matt) Bauman, Mounds View, MN (great-grandson Reece,) Tim (Alyssa Martin) Schumann, Marquette, MI and Bridget Schumann, Minneapolis, MN. Brother Thomas (Lynn) LaChapelle, Sister-in-Law Barbara LaChapelle, Brother-in-law Ed O’Connell, Sister-in-Law Marilyn Gustafson and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, siblings Betty Beveridge and Geroge (Sheridan) LaChapelle and brothers and sisters-in-law.
Dottie’s family would like to extend an extra special thank you to Michelle Grenier and Duane Carlson at West Highland for their care and friendship, the staff who delivered Meals on Wheels, the Data Bus Drivers who made sure Dottie got to her Gigs and Hair Appointments. The incredible, caring and dedicated staff at Bishop Noa Home for making her feel cared for and valued until her last breath.
