HERKIMER – Laura E. O'Donnell, 97 of West German Street, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Valley Health Services. She was born on December 18, 1925, in Albany to the late Matthewand Laura (Dugan) Hickey, graduating from the Vincentian Institute in 1943. On January 31, 1948, she was joined in marriage with the late James P. O'Donnell, Jr. They enjoyed a long and happy life together until his passing on February 4, 2005. Laura is survived by her son, Peter, and daughters Marianne and Catherine, seven adored grandchildren, John Patrick, Michael, William and Grace O'Donnell, Keppler McCelland, AnnieMcCelland-Frelinghuysen and James McCelland and two precious great-grandsons, Patrick and Declan O'Donnell. She was predeceased by her brother John Hickey, Sr. Throughout her life, Laura volunteered many hours in the community and was particularly devoted to her work at the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Utica. She began her volunteer work in 1969, managing annual sales of products made by the blind, and served for many years as a member and President of the Board of Directors. Laura also devoted many years to the Herkimer Memorial Hospital Guild; and eventually served as President of the Hospital Board of Directors. During this time she worked tirelessly to align the hospital with Bassett Healthcare for the hospital's eventual conversion to Valley Health Services Nursing Home. Laura served as President of the Board of Directors for Valley Health for many years. She was also invited to serve on the Board of Directors of Friends of Bassett, the Herkimer County Community College Foundation Board, and served for fifteen years on the Board of Directors for the Mohawk Homestead. She was also named Woman of the Year by the Salvation Army in 1993. Laura was a member of St. Francise deSales Parish in Herkimer where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 22nd at 10:00 am. Calling hours will be on Thursday, September 21st from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. The family would like to express it's sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Valley Health Services, for theirextraordinarily tender and devoted care of our mother and grandmother in her final days. They respectfully request any donations in Laura's memory be made to the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Valley Health Services, or the St. Francis deSales Early Childhood Education Program. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home Calling Hours

Thursday, September 21, 2023 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Fenner Funeral Home Inc. 115 Court Street Herkimer, NY 13350 Mass Of Christian Burial

Friday, September 22, 2023 10:00 AM

St. Francis deSales Church N. Bellinger Street Herkimer, NY 13350