The Irish couple who died in a car crash in the United States nine days ago were laid to rest in County Kerry today.Joe and Anne O'Connell lost their lives nine days ago when their family motor van went out of control and overturned on a highway in Iowa, about 150 miles west of Chicago. They will be buried together later today following funeral mass in Killure. Their three children were also injured in the crash, including 15-year-old Sarah, who was driving the vehicle at the time.
Anne (44) was the youngest member of a renowned Galway GAA family. She played camogie for a number of clubs, including Gort, and for her native county. Joe (50) had been an inter-county hurler for Kerry for 14 years and won numerous club titles with his parish, Causeway. They had moved to the US with their family for work reasons eight years ago and were starting a family holiday on the west coast when the accident happened.
Meanwhile, family friends have established a memorial fund for the family’s three surviving children to help cover medical expenses and any other needs the children may have. To make a donation, checques should be made payable to the Joe and Anne O’Connell Family Fund at any M&I Bank branch or mail it to M&I Bank, 7447 University Ave., Middleton, WI 53562.
