Cecilia O'Day

Cecilia “Cindy” O'Day, 91, of Hudson, FL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Cindy was born on February 14, 1933, in Duncan, IA, to Frank and Barbara Hadacek. She was the second oldest among her siblings, Marie, Francis, Cletus, Leo, Rita and Donnie.

After graduation from Garner High School, she attended St. Joseph's Mercy School of Nursing in Sioux City, IA, and became a Registered Nurse. She married James O’Day on May 22, 1954. They moved from Dubuque, IA, to Davenport, IA, to South Bend, IN, to Danville, IL, before ultimately settling in Peoria, IL. Together, they raised four children, Dan, Connie, David and Tom.

Later in life, they moved to Port Richey, FL. They became grandparents to six granddaughters, Neysa, Bree, Molly, Allison, Jessica and Kelsie; one grandson, Steven; three grandsons-in-law, Trey, Brian and Drew; and six great-grandchildren, Lola, Killian, Leah, Miles, Grant and Vivian.

During her career, she worked in the mother and baby units at OSF in Peoria, IL, and North Bay in New Port Richey, FL. Outside of work, she enjoyed volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul, researching her family’s ancestry, and baking, for which she even won blue ribbons beginning in childhood.

Cindy was devout in her Catholic faith. She was a parishioner at St. James in Port Richey, FL. Among her prized possessions was a framed copy of the Serenity Prayer, which she said daily.

Cindy was a caregiver in every sense of the word. She cared deeply for her family, friends and anybody who was lucky enough to come into her life. Her family and friends will miss her phone calls, cards sent for every occasion, hugs and baked goods.

Cindy is survived by her husband, Jim; two sons, David (Anna) O'Day of Peoria, IL, and Tom O'Day of Port Richey, FL; one daughter, Connie Wendle of Cincinnati, OH; and one daughter-in-law, Donna O’Day of Peoria, IL. Cindy also leaves behind her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and even a handful of great-great-nieces and nephews, all of whom she cherished. Cindy is now reunited with her parents and six siblings, as well as her son, Dan. Her surviving loved ones imagine they’re all sharing the world’s best homemade apple pie in heaven.

Her family sends their gratitude to the staff at Vitality Living and HPH Hospice of Hudson.

Cremation will be accorded. Faupel Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Cindy’s family remains dedicated to supporting Jim through a medical rehabilitation at this time and intend to have a funeral Mass at St. James in Port Richey, FL, when the family can attend together. Her final resting place will be at Resurrection Mausoleum in Peoria, IL.

To honor Cindy’s life and legacy, memorials can be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.

“Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Mark 5:34. Until we meet again!