Mary Ann O’Connor, 96, of Galesburg, Illinois, died peacefully at 6:49 a.m. Sunday, January 15, 2023 at Farmington Village Nursing and Rehab, Farmington, Illinois.
Mary Ann was born October 28, 1926 in Seaton, Illinois the daughter of Paul and Ethel Marie (Callahan) Welch. Mary Ann Welch and William “Bill” Thomas O’Connor were united in marriage at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Galesburg on May 29, 1954. Bill preceded her in death on October 7, 1989. Mary Ann is survived by two daughters, Theresa (Al) Kuhlmann of Dunlap, Illinois and Mary (Ken) Snodgrass of Peoria, Illinois; two sons, Paul O’Connor of Peoria and Terry O’Connor of Galesburg; six grandchildren, Katie (Steve) Marcotte, Megan (Steve) Eveker, Dan Snodgrass, Angie (Corey) Flegel, Joey Kuhlmann, and Ryan Galloway; and six great grandchildren. Along with her parents and husband Bill, Mary Ann was preceded in death by two sisters.
Mary Ann graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy in Davenport, Iowa and attended Brown’s Business College in Galesburg. Mary Ann went on to work in many different capacities at Sears and Roebuck Co. for many years, finally retiring when she was 85.
After losing both of her parents at a young age, Mary Ann and was raised by nuns at a Catholic orphanage. This was one of the main factors that contributed to a lifelong commitment to her Catholic faith. She was an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and a member of the Women’s Guild and the Ladies of Mary. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and was an avid fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. She also enjoyed cheering on the Chicago Cubs. Most of all Mary Ann was proud of her family and loved spending time with them, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The rosary will be prayed at 4 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, with visitation following from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, with the funeral mass at 11 a.m. Father Don Henderson will officiate. Private family burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
