Joan Lavell O'Connor

Joan Lavell O'Connor, a resident at Arbor Terrace in Cobb County, passed away on September 15, one day short of her 95th birthday. Joan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the second youngest of eight children. Perhaps it was being part of a large family that trained her to express herself loudly, which served her well in her career as a kindergarten teacher and with her beloved husband, Jack, who wore hearing aids throughout their marriage. It was unmistakable when she was on the sidelines at her son's and grandson's football games. The cowbell was a bonus.

Joan earned a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati in 1952, later supplemented by a Master's Degree from Georgia State University. Her teaching career began in the public schools in Cincinnati and included a short stint at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic School in Sandy Springs and a longer stint at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School in Brookhaven. After leaving St. Jude and before teaching at Our Lady of Assumption, with her good friend Lillian McNair she helped found and run a daycare center in Roswell for the young children of working mothers. That daycare center has become the Children's Development Academy, which celebrated its 50th year of operation last year. As part of its 50-year anniversary celebration, the Academy honored Joan and had her speak to its supporters about its founding and early years. The Academy's building has a plaque dedicating it "to the glory of God and the fulfillment of a noble vision of two who cared enough - Lillian Carpenter McNair and Joan Lavell O'Connor."

Joan and Jack married on December 26, 1955, in Cincinnati, relocated to New Orleans for a few years, but then settled in Sandy Springs in 1964, where they raised their children, Carolyn and John. In their retirement, Joan and Jack moved to Kennesaw, where they had an active social life centered around St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church. They were devoted parishioners and Joan held various officer positions in the Golden Agers Club. She was also a member of the East Cobb YMCA Kickers for many years. Shortly after Jack passed away in 2019, Joan moved to Holbrook Acworth and spent her final years there gaming, gambling and, as she said, always laughing.

Joan is survived by her sister, Carol Proudfit, her daughter, Carolyn Malone (Mike), her son, John O'Connor, Carolyn's children Patrick (Jordan), Jonathan (Lauren) and Stephen (Kelly), John's children Emily O'Connor Madsen (Nick), Jack and Harry, six great grandchildren on the Malone side, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joan's family would like to thank Arbor Terrace and Trinity Hospice for the attentive and gentle care they provided to Joan as her health issues mounted.

A memorial service for Joan will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 1618 Ben King Road, Kennesaw, Ga 30144, on October 3 at 11 a.m., with a reception after in the Parish Hall. Joan's ashes later will be interred with Jack's at Georgia National Cemetery. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a donation to the Children's Development Academy in Joan's memory - https://cdakids.org/.