Karen Inez O'Connor

1947 - 2024

Karen Inez O'Connor passed gently into her new life with God on September 9, 2024. She is the daughter of Olivia Cazayoux O'Connor and John C. O'Connor, Jr., born on December 29, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is survived by three sisters: Maureen O'Connor of Colma, CA; Denise O'Connor (Jude) Lirette of Metairie, LA; and Rebecca O'Connor Russo of New Roads, LA; four nephews, a niece: Travis Harris, Ava (Mindy Prados) Harris, Justin (Jessica Colclough) Harris, Jamie (Sharon) Russo, Damien Russo; and great nephew Wyatt (Justin and Jessica) Harris. She attended St. Christopher grammar school, St. Mary's Dominican High School, and LSU Nursing School. After graduating with her nursing degree, Karen served three years active duty with the United States Air Force. She continued in the US Air Force Reserves for another 17 years, retiring as a Captain. She moved to Atlanta, GA, in 1973 where she worked in private duty nursing, at Georgia Baptist Hospital, and at the Veterans Administration Hospital. During that time, she also followed her passion for travel, working for a while as a travel agent. Retiring in 2006, she continued to live in Brookhaven, GA. In 2023 she returned to LA to be near family. Karen traveled widely throughout her life. She attended national and local Storytelling gatherings. For many years she was an avid fan of figure skating. She loved reading and volunteered with an adult literacy program. She enjoyed the theatre and concerts. During her US Air Force career, she worked with NASA doing research for the women astronauts' program. She received the Silver Snoopy Award from NASA for her contribution to the Space Program. She volunteered with the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Donations in her name can be made to ASPCA, The Elephant Sanctuary, Habitat for Humanity, USO, K9's For Warriors. A private memorial gathering will be held at a later time. She will be interred in the Cazayoux Family plot at Roselawn Cemetery, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.