Joanne M. O'Connor

1929 - 2018

Joanne M. O'Connor 1929 - 2018
Sherman, IL—Joanne (Lucasey) O'Connor joined her husband Tom in heaven on April 9, 2018. Joanne was born on July 19, 1929 in Springfield, IL. She was preceded by her loving husband, Thomas P. O'Connor, Sr.; parents, Joe and Ann Lucasey; brother, Jim Lucasey; sister, Patricia Sinkus; and grandson, Sky Kellan Sinkus-Blackburn. Her sister, Ginger Rentschler, remains with us.
High school sweethearts, Joanne and Tom were married on November 23, 1950. They raised 9 children of their own, and due to the untimely deaths of Joanne's sister, Patricia and brother-in-law, George Sinkus, they helped to raise 7 others. Their children: Thomas P. O'Connor, Jr. (wife Debbie, deceased), Dianne (Dan) Fenton, Patrick (Maureen) O'Connor, Mary (Gregg) Kyes, Joseph (Linda) O'Connor, Margaret (Grady) Johnson, Christina (Tim) Dunbar, Edward (Deb) O'Connor, James (Erica) O'Connor, Laurie Sinkus, James Sinkus, David (Cathy) Sinkus, Angela (Joe) deMarco, Jean Dodge, Kathryn Middleton, and Amy (Thom) Sinkus.
"All of my favorite people call me Grandma." This includes Deanna, Nick, Eric, Mandy, Michelle, Carrie, Daniel, Chelsey, Erich, Sammie, Drew, Alex, Daniel, Jack, Maddie, Max, Patrick, Lily, William, Lindsey, Morgan, Sean, Eddie, Chrissy, Rosie, Ellie, Charlie, Maggie, Danny, Sydney, Avery, Stefani, Jennifer, Mary Kathryn, Kaitlyn, Andrew, Adam, Justin, Jessica, Drew, Alaina, Jeremiah, Jillian, Jonathan, Jacob, Kristin, Ashlee, Joshua, Hayley, Melissa, and Willow; and Great- Grandma to…Connor, Malorie, Jacob, Emma, Gabby, Jackson, Kimmy, Drew, Tyler, Hayden, Nolan, Finn, Alivia, Easton, Tyson, Zoie, Martin Seth, Joseph, Savannah, Luchessi, Gage, Carter, Ella, John, Leo, Hannah, Evan, Aniyah, Addison, Brysen, and Bentley.
How she loved her family. There aren't enough words. Loving, caring, selfless, kind; there's just no way to capture the essence she possessed and the inner beauty of her soul that came about her naturally. The world is less than it was with her passing. But she would never want us to dwell on that. It's times like these that one of her strengths shined most brightly. The ability to find good and to provide compassion with unwavering faith regardless of the situation. The same could be said for all the people who came into contact with Joanne throughout her lifetime. She had a joyful look on her face and a twinkle in her eye every time you saw her.
Joanne and Tom lived most of their lives on Laurel Street in Springfield. If those walls could talk. So many vivid memories of her, often in the kitchen making something delicious and abundant. It's a challenge to pare down those recipes when you're not cooking for 20-30-40 or up to thousands at the Ethnic Festival. She loved having family and friends gather together in her home to eat, drink and be happy. She and Tom lived their lives welcoming all who crossed their path.
Joanne's next favorite thing after spending time with her grandkids was watching sports. If there was a game on TV, she was happy. It didn't matter the sport, she watched it. She loved March Madness and held a special place in her heart for the Cardinals. The only thing better for her was to watch her kids and grandkids play. Whether it was driving her own kids to five different games or relaxing while watching her grandkids get a hit or save a goal, she was never happier.
You always felt warm and loved when you were in her presence. She will be missed. But with our loss, we all gained an angel. May we all lead lives half as rich as hers.
Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1725 S. Walnut Street, Springfield. The visitation will begin with a prayer service.
Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 13, 2018 at Blessed Sacrament Church with Rev. Jeff Grant, celebrant.
Please consider making a donation in memory of Joanne to Catholic Charities, Attn: Adoption Agency, 721 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL 60654.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the Villas East Skilled Nursing Center for all their care and companionship. It has been truly appreciated.
The family of Joanne M. O'Connor is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th Street, Springfield.
Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.