Dr. John R. O’Donnell, Physician in West L.A.

Dr. John Reynolds O’Donnell, a former 43-year resident of Pacific Palisades, died on October 14 at his home in Nipomo, California. Born in Columbus, Nebraska, Dr. O’Donnell attended Loyola High School and Loyola University in Los Angeles and graduated with a degree in medicine from McGill University, Montreal, in 1959. After internship and residency, he had a family practice in West Los Angeles until 2002, and was on the attending staff of St. John’s and Santa Monica hospitals. He married his wife, Margaret Jean, in Montreal, Quebec. He moved from the Palisades to Nipomo in 2004.   Dr. O’Donnell was known for his brilliant use of language, his humor and his love of making speeches. He spoke three languages and frequently traveled abroad. His interests included the study of history, music, skiing and scuba diving.   He is survived by his wife, Margaret Jean; his three sons, Michael, Stephen and Daniel (wife Tammera); two daughters, Kathleen Chayet (Todd) and Riley O’Donnell; three grandchildren, Aaron Lyon, Tara Lyon and Sarah Chayet; and his brother, Roderic O’Donnell.   He will be missed by a wide circle of family and friends.   A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 29 at Corpus Christi Church, 887 Toyopa Dr., in Pacific Palisades. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Dr. John Reynolds O’Donnell, a former 43-year resident of Pacific Palisades, died on October 14 at his home in Nipomo, California. Born in Columbus, Nebraska, Dr. O’Donnell attended Loyola High School and Loyola University in Los Angeles and graduated with a degree in medicine from McGill University, Montreal, in 1959. After internship and residency, he had a family practice in West Los Angeles until 2002, and was on the attending staff of St. John’s and Santa Monica hospitals. He married his wife, Margaret Jean, in Montreal, Quebec. He moved from the Palisades to Nipomo in 2004.   Dr. O’Donnell was known for his brilliant use of language, his humor and his love of making speeches. He spoke three languages and frequently traveled abroad. His interests included the study of history, music, skiing and scuba diving.   He is survived by his wife, Margaret Jean; his three sons, Michael, Stephen and Daniel (wife Tammera); two daughters, Kathleen Chayet (Todd) and Riley O’Donnell; three grandchildren, Aaron Lyon, Tara Lyon and Sarah Chayet; and his brother, Roderic O’Donnell.   He will be missed by a wide circle of family and friends.   A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 29 at Corpus Christi Church, 887 Toyopa Dr., in Pacific Palisades. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.