Mary Thérèse O'Connor Sears

Mary Thérèse O'Connor Sears, lovingly known as "Gammie", of Atkinson, NH, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026, with her loving husband of 58 years, Ron, by her side.

Born in New York City, NY, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Alice (née Horgan) O'Connor of Andover, MA.

Mary was a devoted and loving mother of Jim Sears (Mara) of Bryn Mawr, PA and Jacquie Vo (Francis) of San Jose, CA; a cherished grandmother of Michael, Annie, Ryan, and Andrew Sears and Madeline and Andrew Vo; a dear sister of Jane Frantz (Rich) and Nancy Stolberg (Paul). She is also survived by nieces and nephews and friends who all were fortunate to experience her love and adoration.

In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her siblings, Alice O'Connor Josephs and John O'Connor.

Mary was a 1958 graduate of Abbot Academy (now Phillips Academy). She went on to study and graduate from Newton College of the Sacred Heart (now Boston College) in 1962. Upon graduation she taught First Grade in Haverhill and Andover, Massachusetts. After her marriage to Ron, the couple moved to White Plains, NY. Mary and Ron then moved to Turnersville, NJ and Ridgefield, CT before settling in Basking Ridge, NJ to raise their two children.

Mary was so proud to be a teacher and was fortunate to further both her teaching career and her Catholic faith at St. James in Basking Ridge, NJ. Mary first taught students with special needs at Cedar Hill School and then Kindergarten at St. James School for twenty years. As a teacher, her patient demeanor and caring nature made her the perfect one to help her young students learn and grow.

Upon retirement, Mary and Ron moved to Atkinson, NH in 2000, not far from her home town of Andover, to a home they quite loved. In retirement, they were able to visit their children and grandchildren and partake in numerous holidays and celebrations with them. Each of her grandchildren shared a special bond with her, and she loved each of them beyond measure. Some of Mary's happiest moments were spent on the beaches of Long Boat Key, Florida and Kiawah, South Carolina with her grandchildren playing monopoly during a break from the sun or taking walks along the water. Another highlight was the 12 car trips they took in all seasons back and forth across the country to California with stops in Pennsylvania to see both sets of grandchildren. Those trips were some of the best times, according to Mary, and were filled with talks about life, books on tape, humor and love.

Mary's loyalty to her friends and family was unmatched. She stood by those she loved with strength and kindness, and she never missed the opportunity to send a birthday or holiday card to her friends and family. Her friendships spanned decades, and her love and generosity was felt by all who were lucky enough to have known her.

Relatives and friends are invited to honor Mary during Visitation 9:00am - 10:30am on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, New Hampshire followed by her Funeral Mass at 11am, nearby at St. Matthews Church, 2 Searles Road, Windham, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary's name to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation benefitting the "Pediatric Liver Transplant Department" and mailed to CHOP Foundation, PO Box 781352, Philadelphia, PA 19178-1352. Donations can also be made online at chop.edu/giving and designating the gift in Mary's honor towards the "Pediatric Liver Transplant Department."