Elinor (Butler) O'Connell

Canandaigua – Elinor (Butler) O’Connell, age 96, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026. She is survived by four children, Lee (Tammie) Kaminski, Michael O’Connell, Kathleen (William) Retzner, and Mary Pat (James) Smilikis; seven grandchildren, Evan, Benjamin, Katherine, Daniel, Kerry, Megan, and John; five great-grandchildren; her nieces and nephews, Candace Butler, Lauren Vandetti, Robert Butler, and David Butler. She was predeceased by her husband, William B. O’Connell in 2025; daughter, Ellen (Kaminski) Guest in 2001; and two brothers, Robert and Jack Butler.

Elinor was born in Canandaigua and was the daughter of Floyd and Grace (Wheeler) Butler. She attended Canandaigua schools and was a graduate of Canandaigua Academy, class of 1947. Elinor also received her bachelor’s degree in education from SUNY Brockport, class of 1952. She taught 8th grade at Canandaigua Middle School from 1951 to 1965 and at Dake Junior High School from 1965 to 1984, from where she retired. Elinor was a member of St. Mary’s Church, F.F. Thompson Hospital Guild, Sonnenberg Gardens, and Granger Homestead Society. She enjoyed wintering in Florida for over 25 years. Elinor’s greatest love in life was her family, and as the eldest, she was the nexus of her large extended family.

Services are private. Interment will be in Rose Ridge Cemetery, Naples. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ontario County Humane Society, 2976 Co. Rd. 48, Canandaigua, NY 14424. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.