Beth Ann O'Donnell

Beth Ann O'Donnell of Winchester, MA, died at home  August 19, 2021.  Beth was diagnosed with incurable uterine sarcoma in early 2014.  In the ensuing years, she endured 7 surgeries, many different types of chemotherapy and many rounds of targeted radiation. Despite the compassionate and extraordinary care of an incredible team of doctors and nurses at Dana Farber, Beth chose to discontinue treatment when her illness began to advance more aggressively and chose to focus on comfort and time with her family.

Beth was born in Ferndale, Michigan; the daughter of  William and Sharon (Finucane) O'Donnell of Pentwater, MI.  Her family roots are in Michigan, but the family moved throughout her childhood.  As a young adult, she lived in Minnesota for several years and earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Minnesota. She met her husband in the Washington DC area, married and started a family there in the late 1980's through the mid 1990's.  After that, the family lived primarily in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and in 2004, the family settled in the Boston area.

Beth had many different jobs over the years, but her community and family were her primary focus.  She was active as a leader for the La Leche League for nearly 10 years and an advocate for natural childbirth and attachment style parenting.  She was a remarkable chef and caterer,  an accomplished musician who played the violin and mandolin and a master quilter having gifted over 100 quilts to friends and family.  Beth was active within several Unitarian Universalist congregations, serving in youth educational programs (OWL) and as a leader of small group ministries.  Beth was a tireless researcher, and loved for her empathy, open-mindedness, friendship, quick wit and encyclopedic knowledge of cooking, nutrition, home remedies, interior design and more.  She liked nothing better that something new to research and understand.

She was the wife of Ken Smith and mother of Katherine Smith and Kevin Smith of Winchester.  She is also survived by three brothers: Dan O'Donnell and his wife Deanna of Acton, David O'Donnell and his wife Katie Slingluff of Cape Coral, FL and Jonathan O'Donnell and his wife Regina Tarone of Rhinebeck, NY; nieces and nephews, Michelle of Medford, Amelia and Will of Acton, Jack and Alex of Germantown, MD, Abigail and Matthew of Rhinebeck, NY plus numerous aunts,  uncles and cousins.

Friends and Family are cordially invited to a Celebration of Beth's life on Saturday, September 25th at 1 P.M. at the Winchester Unitarian Society, 478 Main Street Winchester. Likewise, those interested in participating but unable to attend, the service is available on line.  Details of how to access will be available 72 hours before the service.  To request the link, please text or email Ken Smith 781-759-9615 / [email protected]

In lieu of flowers, if you care to make a gift, the family requests you make a memorial gift to "La Leche League"          -- https://www.llli.org/donate/tribute-gifts/   Please identify the gift as "In honor of Beth O'Donnell."