Ellen Maureen (O’Meara) Kennell

Ellen Maureen Kennell, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and
devoted nurse, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in
Everett, Washington, due to an internal brain aneurysm. She was 86 years old.
Ellen was born on Sunday, May 21, 1939, in Wadsworth, Ohio. She was
preceded in death by her father, Thomas Cornelius O’Meara; her mother, Helen
D’Emma (Hickman) O’Meara; her brother, Thomas James O’Meara; and her
partner, Howard Hughes. From an early age, Ellen radiated warmth, kindness,
and quiet strength—qualities that defined her life and touched everyone who
knew her. She graduated from Claridon High School in 1957, where she was
honored as Homecoming Queen, a recognition that reflected not only her beauty
but also her grace and character.
Following her calling to care for others, Ellen attended the Grant School of
Nursing in Columbus, Ohio, where she earned her Registered Nurse degree in
1960. Nursing was never just a profession for Ellen—it was a vocation of the
heart. Over the course of more than 50 years, she served patients in a variety of
settings, including general practice, cardiology, and hospice care. Whether
offering clinical expertise or quiet comfort in a patient’s final moments, Ellen
brought compassion, dignity, and humanity to every life she touched.
A lifelong learner with a deep commitment to excellence, Ellen later returned to
school to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University in
2013, demonstrating her belief that growth, service, and curiosity never truly end.
Ellen’s faith was a steady and guiding presence throughout her life. She believed
deeply in kindness, service, and grace, and she lived those values daily—often
quietly, but always through action. She had a gentle spirit, a ready smile, and a
calming presence that put others at ease. One of her greatest pleasures was
reading; books were a lifelong companion, a source of comfort, curiosity, and joy.
Whether immersed in a novel or sharing a thoughtful conversation sparked by
something she had read, Ellen treasured learning and reflection. She found
happiness in simple moments—time with family, a good book, caring for others,
and the quiet satisfaction of being useful and needed.
In addition to her demanding, lifelong career in nursing, Ellen also carried the
profound responsibility of raising her children as a single mother. She met that
role with the same quiet determination, resilience, and selflessness that defined
every part of her life. Balancing long hours, financial pressures, and the
emotional weight of doing it largely on her own, she ensured her children were

loved, supported, and encouraged to pursue education, service, and integrity.
Her strength, perseverance, and unwavering devotion left a lasting imprint on her
family and shaped her children's lives and values in enduring ways.
While Ellen was immensely proud of her nursing career, her greatest joy and
pride were her children and family. She was a loving, devoted mother to Robyn
Carey (Mike) of Everett, Washington; Colonel (RET) Thomas Byrd (Carena) of
Richmond Hill, Georgia; David Byrd (Cindy) of Granite Falls, Washington; and
Mark Byrd (Derrick) of Akron, Ohio. She celebrated their achievements. Proud
that all her children were college graduates, she supported them through
challenges and loved them unconditionally.
Ellen’s heart only grew larger with each generation. She was a cherished
grandmother to Ayla, Zachary, Dalston, Sommer, Jessica, and Anthony, and a
deeply adored great-grandmother to Audrey, Raya, Raegan, Tayla, Bodhi, and
Rylee. Her family will remember her gentle wisdom, steady presence, laughter,
and the way she made each person feel seen and loved.
Ellen will be remembered for her deep love of family, her lifelong passion for
reading, and the quiet wisdom and compassion she shared so freely with
everyone around her. She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.
Friends and family are invited to attend the visitation of Ellen on Saturday, May 9,
2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Boyd Funeral Home. A graveside service
will follow at Frame Cemetery in Meeker, Ohio.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ellen Maureen (O’Meara) Kennell, please visit our floral store.