Paula O'Hanlon Obituary

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O'Hanlon, Paula Jean

February 5, 1947 - February 9, 2024

Age 77, of Blair, NE, passed away peacefully at Brookestone Meadows in Elkhorn, NE. VISITATION: at Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair, on Friday, February 16th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a PRAYER SERVICE beginning at 1 p.m. PRIVATE BURIAL will be held at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Blair.

Survivors include, daughter, Megan (Sean) Coffey; son, Reed (Kayleen) O'Hanlon; grandchildren, Maggie, Colleen, and John Coffey; sister, Eloise (Jack) Ostrander; brother-in-law, David O'Hanlon; and extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the Washington County Community Foundation or the Okoboji Summer Theater.

Full obituary available at www.campbellaman.com.

Campbell Aman Funeral Home 444 S. 17th Street, Blair, NE

#2- Published in the Pilot-Tribune FEBRUARY 13, 202

Paula-Jean O’Hanlon, 77, of Blair, passed away peacefully February 9, 2024 at Brookestone Meadows in Elkhorn, NE. Visitation will be held at Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair on Friday, February 16, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 1 p.m. Private burial will be held at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Blair. A celebration of her life will also be held at a later date.

Paula-Jean was born on February 5, 1947, in New York City to Paul and Lydia Vellucci. They moved to Dallas, TX where Paula-Jean was raised and graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1965. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO where she earned a degree in Theater Arts. While attending Stephens College, she spent her summers performing at the Okoboji Summer Theater in Okoboji, IA. It was there that she met John O’Hanlon on a blind date, and they married and settled in Blair in June 1968. Their daughter Megan was born in 1973 and their son Reed in 1977.

Paula-Jean was very active in the Blair community and had early jobs at Wilkinson’s Manufacturing and the Blair Clinic. She spent many years as a Secretary at Blair Community Schools, and in her later life, worked at the Alzheimer Association in Omaha, NE. Finally, she worked in Guest Relations at Brookestone Meadows for 13 years until she retired in 2020. She taught Sunday School at the Methodist Church in Blair, and was active in Chapter EQ of P.E.O., and served as president. She spent many hours donating her time and talents to acting, directing, and choreographing plays, musicals and variety shows for Blair Community Theater and Blair High School. She worked with the Junior Miss program as a choreographer and also helped contestants with their “talent” performances. She coached students in speech and debate and served as a judge for competitions. Her very favorite role was playing Auntie Vera in BCT’s production of “Mame” in 1983.

Paula had many talents and interests. She was a great director and choreographer, actress and comedienne. She had a flair for home decorating and beautiful gift-wrapping. She was a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan, and she loved traveling to St. Louis to cheer them on. She loved Broadway musicals and often broke into song. She collected rabbits for many years, a hobby which she passed down to her granddaughter, Colleen. She loved watching “Blue Bloods” on TV. She was always the life of the party. She loved to dress up in costumes, throw themed parties and make special gift baskets for all occasions. But perhaps her greatest talent was how she made everyone she came in contact with feel special. Her lively, upbeat personality and caring heart touched everyone she met. She was a joyful presence with her stylish clothes, signature red hair and bubbly persona. She loved her friends and family and saying that they will all miss her greatly is an understatement.

Paula is survived by her daughter Megan (Sean) Coffey, son Reed (Kayleen) O’Hanlon; grandchildren: Maggie, Colleen, and John Coffey; sister Eloise (Jack) Ostrander; brother-in-law David O’Hanlon; and extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Lydia Vellucci; husband John O’Hanlon; and her precious dog Scooter.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the Washington County Community Foundation or the Okoboji Summer Theater.

Arrangements provided by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, 444 S. 17th Street, Blair, NE www.campbellaman.com

#3 Funeral leaflet

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In Loving Memory of Paula-Jean O'Hanlon

Born February 5, 1947 New York, New York ~ Entered Into Rest February 9, 2024 Omaha, Nebraska

Memorial Service 1pm Friday February 16, 2024 Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Chaplain Tom Meradith

Final Resting Place: Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska

Campbell Aman Funeral Home

~~~obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave #263801041