Mary Campbell
Age - 95
December 7, 2023
Mary Louise (O'Rourke) Campbell, 95, formerly of Coventry, RI, died on December 2, 2023, at West Shore Health Center in Warwick. She was the beloved wife of the late Allan A. Campbell and the daughter of the late William J. and Jeannette C. (Morin) O'Rourke. Mary was a 1949 graduate of the Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing. As a registered nurse, she worked at the Rhode Island and Kent Hospitals. She was also the office nurse for many years for several local doctors. An avid reader, she and her daughters met monthly to discuss piles of books and enjoy lunch. She joined Great Books and read national publications voraciously. Her greatest reading interest (besides the Kennedys and fiction by Daniel Silva and Stephen King) was anything to do with World War II, especially by Stephen Ambrose with whom she met and corresponded. Her three brothers served in various theaters of this war, and she was determined to learn what they experienced and why. On one of many trips to Germany with her husband Allan to follow American troops years before, she questioned tour leader General William Westmoreland about American strategy preceding the Battle of the Bulge. Westmoreland's response to her ideas was "Where the hell were you when we needed you?" Mary and Allan also traveled extensively throughout Europe and lived in England for a time. An accomplished musician, she could play Chopin with all those flats like nobody's business. Hearing her play "The Entertainer" and the "Maple Leaf Rag" on the piano was like listening to Scott Joplin himself. She taught herself the guitar so she could play and sing at mass on Sundays. She also took art lessons and guided her grandchildren through their first art projects. But her grand passion was quilting. Her many, many quilts, some completely handmade, adorn the beds, walls, tables, and laps around the country and in Belgium. Always seeking to learn new things, Mary took cake decorating classes to create frosted roses for birthday cakes and Buches de Noel for Christmas. Her maids of honor tarts and whoopie pies were legendary at family get-togethers and beyond. She canned many of the fruits and vegetables Allan grew in his bountiful garden. Learning to sew on a third-hand Singer treadle machine, she made clothing for her children and herself, later in life making stuffed teddy bears and lambs, and with Allan, a new Santa every year for each family member. Learning to knit, she made her own clothing and hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, and socks for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Family members proudly wore the intricate Irish fisherman knit sweaters and hats she made for everyone. She continued making outdoor wear for those less fortunate right into the last years of her life. You could often find Mary lunching on pizza at Bill's, shopping everywhere, watching the Pats and the Red Sox, and visiting with grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mary is survived by her four children: Katherine Hebert (Adrien) of Coventry, RI; Brian J. Campbell of Turnhout, Belgium; Melissa Riley (William) of Attleboro, MA; and Elizabeth Hoch (Russell Constantineau) of Stonington, CT. She leaves eight beautiful grandchildren: Molly Opiekun Marini, Brendan Opiekun, Caitlin Riley, Kevan Riley, Zachary Hoch, Timothy Hoch, Elsie Campbell, and Laura Campbell as well as two step-grandchildren Alison Hebert and Adrien Hebert. And seven great grandchildren: Vance Marini, Roan Marini, Ella Opiekun, Owen Opiekun, Oliver Riley, Cora Riley, and Scarlett Riley and one step-grandchild Julien Cepeda. She is also survived by her sister Marguerite Barry of East GreenwichMary was predeceased by siblings Daniel E. O'Rourke, Alice Bettez, Eleanor Durand, Jeannette O'Rourke, Richard O'Rourke, and Russell O'Rourke. The Campbell family thanks all the staff on 2 North at West Shore Health Center, especially Heidi, Michaela and Chris; Home Health and Hospice Care; and the Clare Bridge at Brookdale, Centre of New England, for their kindness and care during these last years. At Mary's request, a wake has been omitted. A memorial mass celebrating the life of Mary Campbell will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 10:00 a. m. in Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 48 Highland Street, West Warwick, RI. Inurnment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Coventry. In lieu of flowers, donations are kindly requested to support Sts. Peter and Paul Church or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (alzfdn. org).Show more
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