Paul Joseph O'Donnell

Paul Joseph O’Donnell, beloved infant son of Brian and Haley O’Donnell, was born into eternal life on March 23, 2026, just four days after his birth on March 19, 2026, in Plano, TX.

His parents received the news of his fetal hydrops diagnosis three hours before his birth and though his time on earth was shorter than they had hoped, Paul was received with great joy and love. While in the operating room, he was baptized into the Catholic faith. He was given the name Paul Joseph in honor of St. Paul and St. Joseph, two of the greatest saints of the Church. St. Paul is known for his widespread evangelization efforts, while St. Joseph is remembered as the silent but faithful father of Jesus. Paul Joseph lived up to the reputations of both of those great men as he silently fought for his life from a NICU bed while simultaneously bringing many friends and family around the country to prayer.

Paul was confirmed the day before he passed, again receiving a great gift of God’s grace. Because he received his sacraments, the Church confidently entrusts him to the mercy and love of Christ. We believe he now rejoices in the beatific vision, united forever with the saints and angels in the presence of the Most Holy Trinity. His family prays that his short life that inspired so many to turn to the Lord will continue to provide inspiration in the days ahead so that we may all be united one day in the heavenly kingdom.

Paul Joseph is survived by his loving parents, Brian and Haley O’Donnell, his older siblings, Mary Grace and James, and his grandparents, Brian and Amy O’Donnell and William and Lisa Chirico, as well as the many other extended family members who already cherish his memory.

A funeral mass will be celebrated in the chapel at Prince of Peace on Saturday, March 28 at 8:30am. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Paul Joseph’s memory to Hope of the Poor, a Catholic organization close to their hearts that Brian has served with in Mexico City and that they hope to take the whole family to visit someday. https://hopeofthepoor.givingfuel.com/hope-of-the-poor