The precious life of Lauren Elizabeth O'Connell, 23, of Frederick, was taken Saturday, May 5, 2012 unexpectedly at University of Maryland Shock Trauma Unit in Baltimore. She was born on June 9, 1988 in Olney, and was the daughter of Daniel and Leslie O'Connell and sister of Sean O'Connell. Lauren had lived in Frederick County since the age of 3. She graduated from Urbana High School in 2005. That summer she completed an internship at City Hall in Frederick where she worked under the supervision of Heather Price Smith and Mayor Jennifer Dougherty. She then attended Frederick Community College that fall and graduated in 2007. As valedictorian she was chosen to deliver the commencement speech. Her achievements included being inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Theta Kappa, receiving the Maryland Governor's Citation award, and was selected by USA Today as Student of the Year for the State of Maryland while attending FCC. In the fall of 2007, she applied and was accepted to University of Maryland in College Park. She graduated in 2010 with a degree in Government and Politics in the hopes of moving on to law school. In the interim, she was employed by T. Rowe Price in Owings Mills. Lauren lived in Owings Mills this past year with her 2 1/2 year old son, Kiran Joseph. She loved hiking at Sugarloaf Mountain with her friends and two Chihuahuas, going to the beach, reading, taking care of and playing with her son, going to Orioles baseball games, shopping, attending her brother's swim meets, enjoying the company of friends, and visiting her grandmother and enjoying long talks. Her smile warmed all who knew her, and her eyes spoke a million thoughts without saying a word. She will be missed greatly by us all. In addition to her son, brother, and parents, Lauren is survived by and will be lovingly remembered by her many extended family members. The O'Connell family will receive friends and family from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 11, 2012 at Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick. A Mass of Christian Burial for Lauren will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 12 at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 118 E. Second Street, Frederick. Officiating will be Father Miguel Mateo. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, 9501 Catoctin Mountain Highway (US 15 North), Frederick. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Gale House for Women at 336 North Market Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.keeneybasford.com.
