Elaine O'Neill

Elaine O’Neill went to her forever home in heaven on December 30th, 2021. She was born to Andrew and Edna Blanck on March 18th, 1953. Elaine is survived by her husband Dennis O’Neill, and her four children, Danielle O’Neill, Joseph O’Neill, Kim L. Henning and Steven Rivera, daughter in law Christina Rivera and her grandchildren Tyler and Lexi Rivera. As well as her sister Evelyn Blanck, nephew Thomas Gilliland and niece Katie Byrne.

She had a heart for children and adults ministering to their needs. As a young child, she gave her life to Christ and immediately desired to serve Him in every way possible. In early childhood, her family attended Calvary Baptist Church in New York city where at the age of five she asked Jesus to come into her heart to be her Lord and Saviour and continued her profession of faith all through her school years growing up even creating the Rutherford Bible Club while attending Rutherford High School.

Her life goal was to become a missionary wherever the Lord called. Her vision was to become involved in foreign missions, but God clearly opened the doors and equipped her whole being for home mission work. Her very own home in Rutherford, NJ became her primary mission field where she has faithfully served with her whole heart.

For over 35 years, Elaine administrated youth Bible camps and retreats in the Northeast, United States. She presented workshops at the Northern New Jersey Annual Christian Education Convention several times. Elaine was a speaker for a variety of children’s, youth and adult banquets, retreats and meetings. She frequently spoke on prayer, parenting, being a Godly woman and becoming a creative teacher. She also lead two women’s Bible studies.

She had a passion for prayer, discipleship, missions and evangelism. She was an excellent communicator, had a strong Biblical foundation, and loved using her gift of teaching to inspire people to pray, to share their faith, to become strong disciples and to grow spiritually.

Elaine had a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and a Master of Arts degree in counseling. She was also certified in school social work and elementary education. Her degrees and certifications were all obtained from Montclair State University and William Paterson University in New Jersey. She taught instrumental and vocal music in the Rutherford school district for 37 years. During her young adult years, she was actively involved in the The Living Gospel Chapel in Clifton, N.J. where many other students she was ministering to attended due to her efforts. In 1973 The Chapel moved to Rutherford Baptist Church which became The Living Gospel Baptist Church of Rutherford. It was at this church she spent her life serving the Lord and ministering with her husband, Reverend Dennis O’Neill whom she married in August of 1980. She served as the Church Administrator, Sunday School Superintendent, Music Leader, Pianist, Trustee, Junior Church leader and Vacation Bible School leader and teacher. She also started the food pantry, clothing and household needs ministry. Elaine looked for opportunities to reach out and connect with people wherever she went. She was a musician, clown, puppeteer, ventriloquist and a children’s minister in her church. She was actively involved in teaching Sunday School and Junior Church and worked in Vacation Bible School and Backyard Bible Clubs for many years. For thirteen years she was a camp teacher at a summer Bible Conference.

She served with the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association, and she served with the Baptist Convention of New York as a youth leader ministering to over four hundred youth at their annual retreats. She was involved in the North Jersey Network of Churches. She involved herself in Women’s Ministry, Women’s Retreats, Church Retreats and Leadership Training and ministry. She was an accomplished flutist producing a recording called “Elaine’s Favorites Hymns”. She was multitalented and used her gifts to serve Jesus. One ministry she loved to do was Disaster Relief. She and Dennis served as The North Jersey Coordinators of the Baptist Convention of New York for Disaster Relief which Dennis is still actively involved in. With this ministry she traveled to many states as well as overseas to help those who suffered from natural disasters. She also did overseas Mission trips to India and South Africa to help the poor and needy as well as to share the gospel which was another favorite ministry she loved to do. She retired early because she wanted to do ministry and disaster relief full time. In conversations with others, she would always encourage people to invite Jesus into their hearts and make Jesus their best friend.

During her marriage with Dennis, they had the blessing of fostering over 30 children in their home who needed love, foundation and Jesus. Dennis and Elaine adopted four children as well, Danielle, Joseph, Steven, and Kim.

Her top three favorite bible verses were:

Proverbs 3:5-6 “trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.”

2 Timothy 1:12 “For I know whom I have believed and persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”

1 Thessalonians 5:24 “Faithful is he that calls you who also will do it”

This best describes Elaine’s life. Thank you for taking the time to read as she had many accomplishments and touched the lives of thousands.

She loved Jesus with all her heart. We trust that her life and testimony will encourage you to accept Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Saviour too.

In lieu of flowers, any donations in Elaine’s honor may be donated to her home church, The Living Gospel Baptist Church of Rutherford, NJ located at 23 West Passaic Ave, Rutherford NJ 07070 or you may donate to her honor online as well through The Living Gospel Baptist Church website.

Click this link to view additional details about Elaine's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/elaine-o-neill