13 Apr Margaret (“Meg”) O’Neill
Margaret (“Meg”) Mary O’Neill, 40, passed away in a tragic accident on April 2, 2023. Meg was born on October 3, 1982 and was raised in Castro Valley, CA. She attended the University of California San Diego and received a bachelors degree in Comparative Politics & Public Service. She later earned a Masters in Teaching from Colorado College.
Meg’s life was devoted to education, advocacy, and adventure. Following completion of her undergraduate education, she spent a year further igniting her passion for climbing and outdoor exploration in New Zealand. She carried this flame with her upon her return, as she spent the next seven years teaching Outdoor and Environmental Science with Yosemite Institute/NatureBridge and Outward Bound. She later shifted her path into the classroom, spending several years teaching middle school science at the Utah International Charter School. Most recently, she had undertaken a position as STEM Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake. During this time, she has also served as Assistant Director of Embark Outdoors, an organization designed to empower refugee young women through outdoor education and sport.
One of Meg’s greatest joys was introducing youth to the limitless opportunities for exploration and learning that the outdoor world has to offer. She believed in teaching resilience through challenge and adventure. It is impossible to measure the impact of Meg’s teaching and mentorship, as she has inspired so many to embrace these lessons and instill them in others.
Amongst her family, friends, and climbing community Meg was known for her outgoing personality, inclusive nature, and contagious excitement for rock and ice. She found happiness in hosting meals and could rarely (if ever) be beaten at a board game. She frequently welcomed friends and their canines into her home that she shared with her two fur children, Keyah and Possum. Each weekend, Meg could be found exploring the routes less traveled, sometimes even wearing a tutu.
Meg is survived by her parents John & Mary O’Neill, her sister Jennifer O’Neill, her nephew Finnegan Drews, and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her grandparents John & Anna O’Neill and Earl & Marie Skagen, her brother-in-law Theodore J. Drews, and uncle Thomas O’Neill.
Services will be held at City View Mortuary at 12:00pm on Saturday, April 15th for family and close friends. A Celebration of Life is being planned for Meg’s community and students on May 6-7th, with details to follow.
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86517780002?pwd=aGppVnRwYmIrU3IrQ3lhQWxocFJidz09
Meeting ID: 865 1778 0002
Passcode: 734037
Mary Kerkman
Posted at 16:21h, 14 AprilNorm and Mary Kerkman send their deepest condolences to John and Mary O’Neill and their daughter, Jennifer. Meg O’Neill was a wonderful young woman who made a difference in the world. She positively affected many lives, and her loss is profound. But she will continue to live on in many hearts until they meet again.
Angela Kaplar
Posted at 10:04h, 20 AprilI am one of many privileged to be one of Meg’s many climbing partners. I will never forget feeling shocked when she shared she was 5’3″– to which she’d reply–unfazed, “it’s because I have a 6 foot personality.” My heart and love goes out to her family during this time. Climb on my friend, belay is on
“I will not be another flower, picked for my beauty and left to die. I will be wild, difficult to find, and impossible to forget.” ~Erin Van Vuren~
Jim Douglas
Posted at 00:45h, 21 AprilJohn & Mary… My deepest sympathy on the loss of your daughter, Meg. Although your sorrow must be unbelievably deep, I hope you can take solace in the knowledge that Meg’s influence on others will live on as an eternal legacy to her and to both of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.