Rev. J. Hugh O'Donnell

Deceased: 2012-09-02

Diocese: SAN FRANCISCO

ICTE Spring: 2001

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 Father Hugh O’Donnell, retired pastor, Mater Dolorosa Parish, South San Francisco, died Sept. 2 at Nazareth House, San Raphael. Father O’Donnell, 80, was a priest for 54 years. Born and ordained in Dublin, Ireland, Father O’Donnell was incardinated into the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1975 while serving at St. Agnes Parish, San Francisco. He has also served at St. Matthew Parish, San Mateo and St. Cecilia Parish and St. Finn Barr Parish, San Francisco. He was a missionary to Kenya as a Holy Ghost Father for more than a decade. In 1987, Father O’Donnell began 18 years of ministry as pastor of Mater Dolorosa. He retired July 1, 2005, at the age of 73, and lived in residence at Our Lady of Mercy Church until the fall of 2009 when he moved to Nazareth House in San Rafael. Father O’Donnell’s survivors include siblings Claire Murphy, Terence O’Donnell, Ann Ledwidge and Frank O’Donnell. A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 8 at Mater Dolorosa Church, 307 Willow Ave., South San Francisco. Remembrances may be made to the Priests Retirement Fund, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco 94109.