Obituary – Marie Vivian O’Connor
Marie Vivian O’Connor, of Melville, New York, died Wednesday, January 24, 2024. She was born in Mill Hall on March 30, 1927 and grew up in Mill Hall.
She married Edwin O’Connor, knowing him all her life and even having the same birthday although two years apart. They married in August 3, 1947 at the Mill Hall Methodist church. Off to their great adventures – besides Mill Hall, living in Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and New York. However, Mill Hall was home to them, always returning time and time again to visit their family and the beautiful mountains. They instilled their love of Mill Hall to their family including their great-grandchildren, which endures today.
Married 73 years, a beautiful love story — as she was the world to him and he was the world to her. To my Dad/Grandpa/Pa, my Mother/Grandma/Granoma/Little Grandma was affectionally “The General” and a she was always number one to this family. You couldn’t have asked for a better Mother-in-Law—quickly welcoming her sons’ wives into the family. She was always so concerned about her family and always checking up on everyone—she was always there for you, no matter what.
She was a housewife and stay at home mom. Her baking and cooking were legendary to our family. She loved to talk and was oh so active, even at 96 —always doing something—housework, yard work, and walking around the block everyday hoping to see the neighbors. Bring out the playing cards, as she loved to play 500 Rummy and with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren a game of War, Pick-up-Sticks, and Cootie. She loved to dance at family weddings and Elvis was her favorite singer. She was very talkative and loved phone conversations. We cannot forget to mention, although very frugal, how she loved to shop for clothes and no matter what she wore – she was gorgeous. And that smile of hers and her beautiful eyes; she was so petite and adorable.
It was not uncommon for someone upon first meeting her to instantly know how cute and nice she was. Everyone who knew her are just so devastated by her passing with the family shedding many, many tears.
Her greatest love and priority was her family. She is survived by her son Larry O’Connor (Christine) and daughter Lynne O’Connor (Johnny), and brother-in-law Kenneth O’Connor (Mary Ellen). Her son, Gary O’Connor (Debra), died in 2017, due to a 9/11 illness. She was so loved by her grandchildren — Michelle (Paul) , Michael (Jessica), Jill (Jesus), Denise (Brandon), Doreen (Jeffrey), Debbie (James), Justin (Katelyn), and Brian (Jacqueline) – and sixteen great-grandchildren with one on the way. Additionally, she was a favorite aunt to her nieces and nephews. While we are so heartbroken — heaven gained a beautiful angel to be with our Dad/Grandpa/Pa and Gary. She was “Simply the Best”.
She is predeceased by her parents Mildred (Clair) Lyons and Randall Weaver, as well as her brothers: Harry (June) Weaver, David Weaver, Robert (Ruby) Weaver and sister Lucille (Richard) Schimel. And not to forget her grandparents, Edward and Debbie Downs, and a very special uncle, Edward Downs – who she always wanted to see when returning to Mill Hall.
Funeral service honoring the life of Marie Vivian O’Connor will be Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 1:00 PM – officiated by niece Reverend Deborah O’Connor-Slater; with visitation from 11:00 – 1:00 PM at the Gedon Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, LLC, 320 Main St. Mill Hall. PA (Formerly the Dean K. Wetzler, Jr. Funeral Home) – followed by burial at Mount Bethel Cemetery next to her husband Edwin and son Gary. Flowers are welcome and memorial contributions may be made to the Mill Hall United Methodist Church, 212 S. Water St., Mill Hall. PA 17751 or in care of the funeral home.
Online thoughts and memories can be made at GedonFuneralHomes.com or the Gedon Funeral Homes Facebook Page.
