[1] In 1856,[4] she married Charles Frederick Dickinson[3] (d. 1871), who was affiliated with the IOGT and was the editor of the Olean, New York Times.

The following year, she was elected Grand Vice-Templar, with charge of the Juvenile Work in the State of New York, and re-elected in 1871.

[2] After she was widowed in June 1871, for two years, she edited the Golden Rule and the Olean Times till declining health and overwork compelled her to dispose of them.

Upon the adoption of the ritual containing that pledge, she was elected chief superintendent of that department of work by the right worthy grand lodge.

[1] Owing to the declining health of her husband, for several years, O'Donnell was unable to actively engage in Good Templar work.

She was again widowed in August 1899, and thereafter, removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota but retaining her membership in her native State of New York.

While active in the higher courts of the Order, she continued to her work within the Juvenile, Subordinate and District Lodges.