Sean Michael O'Donnell

Sean Michael O’Donnell passed into eternal life on Thursday, March 6th, 2025, after a short stay at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Phoenix. He was 39 years old.

Born to loving parents, Dennis and Julie “Lilly” (Piekara) in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on April 9, 1985, Sean always had a passion and enthusiasm for life, especially for traveling, meeting people and socializing. Sean moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2006 through his work with Tiffany & Co., where he soon established a new close circle of friends, who became his ‘Tiffany Family’, and were very dear to him right up until his passing.

Following a very successful career with Tiffany, Sean later joined the team at Springboard Health in 2015, where he became the Director of Sales Operations, and again formed close and meaningful friendships with his new colleagues.

Sean’s Catholic Faith informed his life and the way he interacted with others, treating everyone with the utmost respect and compassion, no matter who they were or their station in life. He first attended Saint Mary’s Basilica in Phoenix on Easter Sunday in 2008, and immediately fell in love with the building and its community. Sean increasingly threw himself into volunteering in many capacities, until finally becoming employed as the Basilica’s official Master of Ceremonies in 2015, to which he brought his expertise, his meticulous organizational skills, and his quiet dignity. Sean oversaw and helped to plan hundreds of liturgical events over the years which drew countless thousands into the presence of God, both at the high points and at the difficult times of life. In recognition of his excellent work at Saint Mary’s Basilica, Sean was also appointed as a Diocesan Master of Ceremonies in 2023, a role to which he also devoted so much care and commitment.

Sean loved a good party, whether at the homes of his close friends, or at a corporate or church event. He would either insist on “one more for the road” before being dragged out of the party, or he would give an “Irish goodbye”! He was also a great lover of classical music, and enjoyed many nights at the Symphony or the Opera with friends, always impeccably dressed.

Sean took very seriously his role as Godfather to Landon, Harrison and Euan, always making time to spend with them and showering them with love and affection, especially on their birthdays.

Sean is preceded in death by his parents Dennis (2009) and Julie (2016), and he is survived by his brother, Brian, of Rochester, New York, his wife Carrie, and his three nephews and a niece, who he loved dearly. He also leaves behind a large extended family who will greatly miss him.

The Funeral Mass for Sean will take place at Saint Mary’s Basilica on Saturday, March 15th, at 3.00 p.m., preceded by a Viewing and Visitation from 2.00 p.m. Following the Funeral Mass, all are warmly invited to a Reception to celebrate Sean’s life in the Basilica Social Hall. Sean will be buried in a ceremony for family and close friends at St. Francis Cemetery, Phoenix, in the days following. May he rest in eternal peace.