Diane O'Connor Obituary

Diane O'Connor

AGE: 79 • Basking Ridge

Diane O'Connor, "Scootie" or "Chief" to many who knew her, died peacefully at the Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains, NJ on Sunday November 24, 2013. After a nearly decade long battle, she succumbed to complications from Alzheimer's with her family at her side when she passed. Diane had turned 79 years old in September.

Widow of Terry O'Connor, Mrs. O'Connor is survived by her six children: Jeff, Terry, Erin, Tom, Dave, and Paul, and by ten grandchildren: Michael, Kate, Jeff, Liz, Grace, Brian, Bridget, Janie, Kelly, and Keller. An eleventh grandchild is expected in December.

Diane Clark O'Connor, nee Houle, was raised in Brainerd, MN and attended Marquette University in Milwaukee where she met and married Terrence Edward O'Connor. After residing in St. Louis and Dallas, they settled in Westfield, NJ, where Terry died at age 35 in 1969. In raising six children largely on her own "Chief" stressed honesty, integrity, and consistency. As an only child herself Diane insisted on a closeness among her children which continues to this day.

In 1977 Diane moved to Basking Ridge, NJ where she was active in the community for over 30 years. A past Chairman of the Historical Society of The Somerset Hills, she was also an active member for over 20 years of the Garden Club of Basking Ridge, the Rosary Society of Saint James, and the Committee to Revitalize Downtown Basking Ridge. Wherever she lived, Diane was active with the local Roman Catholic Church, making lifelong friends with Priests and parishioners.

Diane had many and varied interests. She worked as an interior designer for a time and bought and sold antiques (keeping her favorites for her home) for Silver & Snowdrops, her shop at the Summit Antique center. She was interested in genealogy. In her youth she aspired to be a writer. Being highly visually oriented, she had an outstanding eye for photography. In pursuit of her interests Diane loved to "get in the car and go", traversing the state and nearby regions for decades, seeking just the right antique or image or encounter with an interesting stranger. She had a directness and authentic interest in people which allowed her to meet and interact with almost anyone.

A Mass for Diane O'Connor will be held at St. Helen's Church 1600 Rahway Avenue in Westfield on Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 10:00 AM. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Avenue, Westfield. Visitation 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at 10:00 AM

Location: Saint Helen's Church, 1600 Rahway Avenue in Westfield.

Donations in Diane's memory, if friends so wish, may be made to the Historical Society of The Somerset Hills, The Center for Hope Hospice, or the Alzheimer's Association.

http://www.historicalsocietyofsomersethills.org/donation.php

https://centerforhope.com/Donations.html

http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier News on Nov. 25, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Diane O'Connor

8 Entries

Joan and Michael Quinlan

November 26, 2013

God Bless .Our deepest sympathies. Joan and Michael Quinlan

November 25, 2013

My condolences to the O'Connor family. May memories of time spent with Diane warm your hearts. Lean on God for comfort and the hope he gives of seeing our passed loved ones again.

lydia williams

November 25, 2013

It can be so hard to face the new year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.

November 25, 2013

Condolences to the O'Connor family. May the GOD of comfort be with the entire family during your time of grief. May he give the family and friend the strength to cope.

Barbara Schweizer

November 25, 2013

As a friend of your Illinois daughter, I know I would have treasured knowing you. My kind thoughts to your entire family.

November 25, 2013

I was honored to have known "Lady Di" for the last years she got to stay in her home in BaskingRidge that she loved so much. We had so much fun shopping at her favorite places from B Ridge to Pa! We had a very special friendship that I will treasure forever! She had the most beautiful blue eyes and the greatest laugh! We laughed about the silliest things...She brought out the kid in me again. I feel blessed to have had her in my life at a time where we both needed a person that did not know our pasts and brought out the best in each other! I will treasure the time I had with her FOREVER! she raised amazing children...I am in awe of all of her kids closeness I see you have! She shines through all of you guys! She will be missed for sure! I love you Scootie and I will miss our rides! You are with your wonderful husband once again! When I think of you it will always be with a smile and a chuckle! Peace My Friend...Love Kathy(aka Pat)

lawanda manning

November 25, 2013

To the family of Diane O'Connor,please accept my deepest sympathy.I can remember the first day Diane walked through the doors at Sunrise and joined our Reminiscence Family.It was a joy to have Diane as a resident.I will cherish the laughter and good times I had with her on a daily basis.Her sense of humor and her beautiful smile would light up a room.May she rest in peace.May God bring comfort to all her children at this time.

November 25, 2013

Condolences to the O'Connor family.
May the God of comfort, comfort you
now and in the days and weeks to come.

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