Kathleen Connor

1940 - 2023

KATHLEEN CONNOR

Florence, MA - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Kathleen (Czerapowicz) Connor. Kathleen was born in Florence, MA to Jane (Landry) Czerapowicz and S. Stephen Czerapowicz on September 2, 1940.

Kathleen attended South Street Elementary School, and after graduating from Northampton High School, Kathleen began her radiology training in Holyoke. On a sunny day Kathleen went swimming at Highland Lake with a group of her friends. It was there that she met her future husband, Richard Connor. They fell in love and were married in October 1963. They lived on Pomeroy Terrace, where they welcomed their first daughter, Megan. Four years later they moved to Overlook Drive, where their second daughter, Paula, was born. Kathleen and Dick lived in Florence until Dick's passing in 2016.

Kathleen took a position in the X-ray Department at Cooley Dickinson Hospital where she took x-rays of everyone, from Hollywood actors to members of her own family. Kathleen enjoyed her co-workers and the challenges of an ever changing population of patients. When Cooley Dickinson Hospital administration planned to open a mammography unit, Kathleen was invited to train for a role in the new department. She was eager to learn new skills and technology and she accepted the proposal. Our mother loved her role in women's health care. She valued the one to one time with each of her patients. She often told us, as well as friends and family members, about the importance of early detection - before it became a buzzword in mainstream health jargon.

In addition to being a gentle, kind, and patient mother to Megan and Paula, Kathleen was a devoted and proud grandmother to her three grandchildren. She was a part of our children's lives from the moment they were born. They will remember their Nanny for her crossword puzzles, her sewing, her love of cats and birds, her flowers, her laughter, and her amazing roasts and gravy. Most of all, they cherish their time spent with their Nanny, who adored each grandchild for their individual talents and interests.

Kathleen leaves her two daughters, Megan Connor-Thomas, her husband Jeff Thomas, and granddaughter Nora, of Florence, and her daughter Paula Czarniecki, her husband Rich, grandson Spencer, and granddaughter Emma, of Southampton. In addition to her daughters and their families, Kathleen leaves her sister and best friend MaryJane Farby and her daughter Amanda of New Hampshire, and her sister Jill Burlingame (Twig) and their daughters, Amy and Rachel and their families. Kathleen's traveling buddy and "sister" x-ray technician, Carol Czerapowicz, Katheleen's aunt, will miss their trips abroad and their love of Carol's homemade borscht. Kathleen leaves her sister-in-law, Ann Connor, brother-in-law Ed Sunshine, and niece Ellen Sunshine of Florida, a brother-in-law, Tom Connor of Marion, his children, her many cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as her kind and supportive friends from her Overlook Drive coffee group.

Kathleen's family wants to thank all of the wonderful people who work and live at Rockridge Retirement Community, Kathleen's home for the past eight months, for their kindness, support, sense of humor, and excellent care and love for Kathleen, with a special thank you to Nurse Deb. The family also thanks Dr. Tim Parsons for his care and support of our Mom.

Kathleen's family will receive friends and family at Czelusniak's Funeral Home for Calling Hours on Friday, August 4th at 11:00 a.m. to 12:20 p.m, with an In House Service starting at 12:25 p.m.

Burial will be private at a later date.

Please know that Kathleen wants us to remember the happy and humorous moments we shared with her. Wear yellow; her favorite color, share a great memory you have of time spent with Kathleen, most of all - treasure the time you have with your family- because family is what matters the most.

Please go to czelusniakfuneralhome.com for online condolences and tribute book.