Frances Anne O'Connor

Frances Anne O'Connor, the former Mrs. John Taylor, passed away peacefully in her home on May 4, 2024, wrapped in the warmth of close family and extraordinary caregivers.Frances was born in Louisville on April 18, 1940 to Frances Rebecca Hopson O'Connor and George Edward O'Connor. She grew up in the cherished home her father built during World War II and that remained the heart of her existence for 80 years.In high school at Atherton, Frankie joined Girl Scout Troop 57, where she flourished as a wilderness camper and Civil Air Patrol pilot and made many lifelong friends. After graduating from Vanderbilt University with a master's degree in English, she embarked on one of her most meaningful callings: teaching literature to middle school and high school students. Her longest tenure was at the former St. Francis School in Goshen (now the Francis Parker School). There, she found soulmates in her colleagues and deep satisfaction in nurturing young people. She was beloved by and transformative for an entire generation of seventh- and eighth-grade students who thrived on her love, wisdom, humor, and legendary class traditions based on Great Expectations, To Kill a Mockingbird, Our Town, and A Thanksgiving Memory.Her greatest gift and priority was her relationships. Neighbors, friends, colleagues, students, children, grandchildren and extended relatives - all basked in the glow of her deep heart. She was an acolyte of books, laughter, hats, the smell of rain, peach cobbler, music, letters, poetry, cats, family, and friends - these were the gospels she shared with those lucky enough to know her, the testaments of God's grace that took her breath away every day. They inspired her, as she in turn inspired others, to realize the preciousness of every, every minute she had on this earth. Her light will be deeply missed.Frances is survived by her daughters, Malissa Taylor and Rebecca Knell; her sons-in-law, Andrew Ralston and Peter Knell; and her grandchildren: Paul, Margaret, and Jacqueline Ralston, and Rachel and Benjamin Knell.The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 28th, from 4 until 7 pm at Pearson Funeral Home, 149 Breckenridge Lane, Louisville, KY 40207.A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 30th at 10 am at Highland Presbyterian Church, 1011 Cherokee Road, Louisville, KY 40204. A burial service (Cave Hill Cemetery) and lunch reception will follow the funeral.Donations are requested in lieu of flowers and may be sent to: The Francis Parker School (francisparkerlouisville.org/givetoday/); The Center for Women and Families (https://www.thecenteronline.org/get-involved/give-donations/donations/); or The Cabbage Patch Settlement House (https://www.cabbagepatch.org/donation-page/)Arrangements under the direction of Pearson's, "Where Louisville Goes to Remember".Read Obituary