Former Connecticut First Lady Nikki O’Neill has died at the age of 90. According to her obituary she died at her home in East Hampton surrounded by friends.
She married former Governor Bill O’Neill in 1962. They were married for 45 years until his death in 2007. Mrs. O’Neill taught school in East Hampton for twenty-one years. Bill O’Neill became governor in 1980 following the death of Governor Ella Grasso. He served until 1991 – a total of ten years and ten months.
Both Governor O’Neill and his wife were known for being humble, down to earth, and honored to serve Connecticut in roles they could not have imagined for themselves during their early years together. They had a good working relationship with the Connecticut news media and were almost always friendly towards the reporters who covered them.
