LAURINDA PHAKOS O'CONNOR

O'CONNOR, Laurinda Phakos Of Milton, an accomplished artist and teacher, deeply touched and influenced the art community. Laurinda taught students at St. Mary of the Hills in Milton, MA, master class and adult pastel classes at the Milton Art Center and South Shore Art Center in Cohasset, MA, and gave workshops and demonstrations throughout the country. She also has been a juror of selection and awards for several national and member shows. She was a Signature Member with the Pastel Society of America, Central Mass Pastel Society, and the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod. She was a gallery artist at The Copley Society in Boston and at South Shore Art Center. She had several solo and group exhibits and shows in various national and member shows. She recently wrote: "As a pastel artist, I strive to let simplified strokes of color and line create a path into a scene and moment in time. I push myself to capture the sense I feel from the landscape as well as to create the up-close excitement of color, texture, and expression on the surface of my paper." Her confident marks on paper were only surpassed by her deep love for her husband, daughter, family and friends. Always generous with her love and talent, she would be the first to comfort and care for others. Laurinda was a lovely soul, taken too soon. She passed comfortably surrounded by family, after a sudden recurrence of a cancer. She leaves behind her husband of 32 years, Paul O'Connor; and her daughter Elizabeth O'Connor. She was preceded in death by her father, Theodore Nick Phakos, in 2013. She is survived by her mother, Judith Phakos; sisters, Cynthia Phakos and Ginger Phakos; brother-in-law John Cusack; niece Catherine Cusack; cousins, nieces, nephews, and many other beloved family members and friends. She will be missed by all those she touched. A Celebration of Life is planned for November 2, from 1-4 pm, at the Milton Art Center, all are welcome.

View the online memorial for Laurinda Phakos O'CONNOR