Helen O’Connor

Helen A. O’Connor, 95, a life resident of Kingston, died Sunday in the presence of her family at Geisinger Medical Center.
Born July 17, 1911, in Kingston, she was a daughter of the late James and Anna Connor McAndrew.
She was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Wilkes-Barre.
Mrs. O’Connor was appointed Register of Wills of Luzerne County by Pennsylvania Governor David L. Lawrence in January 1961. In November of that same year, she was elected to her first of eight consecutive four-year terms, serving the people of Luzerne County for 33 years before retiring. She served as the first female president of the State Register of Wills Association.
Mrs. O’Connor was a member of St. Ignatius Parish, Kingston, and its Altar and Rosary Society, Ladies of Charity and King’s College Century Club.
Among the numerous civic and charitable organizations that honored her, Mrs. O’Connor was most proud of receiving an honorary doctorate from College Misericordia, and being named Mother of the Year by the Donegal Society of Greater Wilkes-Barre and 1997 Northeastern Pennsylvania Woman of the Year by the Girl Scouts of America.
Her husband, attorney Patrick J. O’Connor, died June 26, 1958. A daughter, Ellen; son Kevin; grandson Lt. Ryan O’Connor; Mary Chadwick; James McAndrew; and Katherine Brady also preceded her in death.
A mother of 10, grandmother of 43 and great-grandmother of 30, she devoted her life to her family and her Catholic faith.
Surviving are her children, Patricia and her husband, Daniel Curran, of Mountain Top; John E. and his wife, Mary, of Kingston; Maureen and her husband, William Casey, of Doylestown; Patrick J. and his wife, Marie, of Villanova; Joseph S., of Kingston; Kevin M. and his wife, Brigid, of Plains; Michael P. and his wife, Ellen, of Haverford; James C. and his wife, Mary, of West Chester; Thomas A. and his wife, Rose Ann, of Kingston; and Mary Ellen and her husband, Daniel McCormick, of Forty Fort; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in St. Ignatius Church, 339 N. Maple Ave., Kingston. Interment will be in St. Ignatius Cemetery, Pringle.
Visitation for Helen A. O’Connor will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today and 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday in Saint Ignatius Church, 339 N. Maple Ave, Kingston. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catherine McAuley House, 121 Church St., Plymouth, PA 18651-2309; or Helen A. O’Connor Scholarship Fund c/o College Misericordia Development Office, 301 Lake St., Dallas, PA 18612-1008.
Arrangements are by M.J. McLaughlin Company, Wilkes-Barre. Memories may be sent to tribute@mjmclaughlin.com .