Lois Ann McConnell

Lois Ann McConnell, residing in Georgetown, Texas, passed away on July 8th, 2025, at the age of 91, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

Lois was born in Hempstead, Long Island, New York, on November 16th, 1933, the daughter of the late Herbert and Eunice Trafford. She grew up in Mineola, where she attended high school and earned the Girls Athletics award. After graduation, she entered the workforce at Sperry Gyro Corp. as an entry-level secretary and within a year was promoted to supervisor of a secretary pool. On March 24th, 1956, she married Richard B. Tomlinson, with whom she had five children: Jeannette Irene Easter (née Tomlinson), Edward Charles, Kenneth George, Donald Scott and William Alan.

In 1958, Richard and Lois, then pregnant with Jeannette, moved to Pittsburgh, PA, as Richard earned another college degree at Carnegie Tech. Upon graduation, the family of three relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Richard began working for the Mead Corporation and Lois became a full-time mother and household organizer. Soon enough, three became five as Edward and Kenneth made their appearance in 1961 and 1965. Lois was a very energetic and outgoing person who easily made friends with neighbors and became involved in various activities.

In addition to volunteering, church was a very important part of her life. After moving back to Pittsburgh in 1967, the family joined the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, where she helped with Sunday School and fundraisers. Lois enjoyed working with her hands, in particular gardening, sewing and craft work. She also enjoyed updating photo albums as she always had a camera in her hand!

In 1969, her youngest sons, "The Twins," Donald & William were born, rounding out the family of seven. Having cleft palate children, and not finding a local support group for the parents, she initiated contact with mothers in the same circumstance and founded the Pittsburgh Cleft Palate Parents Association to meet, discuss and support the unforeseen challenges that it brought.

Lois was also a longstanding volunteer with the Coalition for Christian Outreach, where she later took part-time employment as the children grew older and more independent. After nearly 30 years of marriage, Lois and Richard separated and later divorced.

Lois married Alan F. McConnell on January 3rd, 1997. She continued her hobbies and discovered a love for jazz music with Alan. They delighted in becoming season ticket holders with the River City Brass Band. Every January 3rd, they had an Anniversary dinner at The Cross Keys Hotel to celebrate their love & devotion to each other. Lois was very happy in her marriage to Alan, yet she still enjoyed corresponding with and talking to her children and grandchildren, and hosting family visits when possible.

Lois was predeceased by her husband Alan McConnell and granddaughter Jessica Easter.

Lois is mourned and survived by her five children, eight grandchildren (Jordan, Edmarie, Brandon, Marikit, Annette, Pierre, Mariette, and Thomas), and three great-grandchildren (Harley, Jack and Jacoby).

A Celebration of Life for Lois will be held at the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church on October 13th, 2025 at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to River City Brass Band (rivercitybrass.org) or the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org)