Arlene Connolly-O'Neill.
A "living tribute" to Arlene Connolly-O'Neill, the Irish American mom who was killed in a murder-suicide in October, has been unveiled at the Yonkers elementary school where she taught.
The Eastchester Police Department shared photos from the June 3 unveiling of the tribute at Anne Hutchinson Elementary School, where Connolly-O'Neill had taught for more than two decades.
The police department said on social media that teachers and students from the school, as well as two officers, came together to honor Connolly-O'Neill's memory "by planting a tree in front of Anne Hutchinson Elementary School—a lasting symbol of her spirit and the many lives she touched.
"Students lovingly decorated rocks with green hearts, a beautiful nod to her strong Irish heritage and the warmth she shared with our school community.
"May this tree grow strong and proud as Arlene continues to do in our hearts."
Arlene, whose parents were from Co Monaghan and Co Galway, was a popular figure throughout the tight-knit Irish American community in Yonkers, where she lived her entire life.
On October 16, police said that 47-year-old Arlene was shot multiple times by her 54-year-old husband Sean O'Neill, a retired NYPD Police Officer, before he turned the weapon on himself in their home in Yonkers.
The couple is survived by their three sons, who are aged 15, 13, and 11; they have been placed into the care of their extended family. A GoFundMe to support the boys has raised more than $851k from more than 6.3k donations since it was launched in October - it is still accepting donations.
Meanwhile, in the days after the devastating murder-suicide, the Ladies Guild at the Annunciation Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Yonkers launched the 'Green for Arlene' campaign, which saw homes and businesses hang green bows and ribbons in Arlene's memory.
The initiative earned the backing of the City of Yonkers, as well as numerous local businesses and community groups.
On October 23, a joint funeral was held for Arlene and Sean in Yonkers.
In a heartwrenching speech at the end of the Mass, Arlene's brother Mark Connolly told the congregation that "no one's really sure why things turned out the way they did."
He said: "We want everyone here to know that our family will not be defined by the events of that day but by the love we continue to have for one another."
According to the local Daily Voice publication, "In the months since her passing, O’Neill’s family, friends, and the Eastchester school community have gathered repeatedly to grieve, honor, and celebrate her life."
It added: "The tree planting is the latest in a series of tributes that reflect how deeply she was loved."