Funeral held for husband, wife who died in Yonkers murder-suicide
A line stretched out the door as mourners tried to catch a glimpse of the service to pay their respects.
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Hundreds of mourners joined family for the funeral service of the husband and wife who died in a murder-suicide on Oct. 16.
Services were held at Annunciation Church on Wednesday morning for Arlene Connolly O'Neill and Sean O'Neill. A line stretched out the door as mourners tried to catch a glimpse of the service to pay their respects.
Last week, authorities said Sean, 54, a retired NYPD officer shot and killed Arlene, 47, before turning the weapon on himself last week at their home in the Crestwood section of the city.
The couple's three kids, Sean, 15, Brendan, 13 and Nolan, 11, were all home at the time but physically uninjured.
"Her most-adored pastime was going on nonstop adventures with her three boys, who were the loves of her life," her obituary read. "The boys were her entire universe and she would have moved mountains for them."
Arlene was a highly respected community member and lifelong Yonkers resident. She taught fifth grade at the Anne Hutchinson School in Eastchester.
Florence McCue knew Arlene and the family for over 20 years from when Arlene began her teaching career.
"That woman touched the hearts of everyone she met with those sparkling Irish eyes and that little wink," McCue said. "She was a shining light. She was an Irish shamrock wherever you looked at her."
Anne Hutchinson was closed on Wednesday to allow students, faculty and staff to attend the funeral, mourn and seek community support.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan attended the service and spoke about how there are not always answers during unexplainable moments of grief.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano also attended Mass.
He said his family and Arlene's go back several generations in the city.
"It's a very close-knit community and this has shaken them to the core," Spano said.
The streets leading up to the church were decorated with green ribbons and mourners wore green pins to honor Arlene's Irish heritage.
Online fundraisers have collected more than $700,000 to help support the boys, who are now without parents.
Interment was held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.
A candlelight vigil in Arlene's memory will take place at Eastchester High School's tuft field at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24.
TUESDAY COVERAGE
