Winifred "Winnie" O’Connor

1918 - 2015

Winifred "Winnie" O'Connor, 97, of St. Marys, died at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, at Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community.
She was born on Oct. 10, 1918, in Columbus, the daughter of Carl and Clara (Nippert) Lowell, and they preceded her in death.
She married Lawrence A. O'Connor on Jan. 26, 1945, in Columbus, and he preceded her in death on April 13, 1972.
She is survived by her son, Gregory (Carol) O'Connor of Winfield, Ill.; by her daughter Beverly (Danny) Chicotel of Findlay and by her three grandchildren Keira O'Connor, Andrew Chicotel and Kathryn Chicotel.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and by a sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Howard Endter.
Winnie was a 1936 graduate of South High School in Columbus, and she attended the Ohio State University. Winnie and Larry were a military family and were stationed in different parts of the country before settling back in Columbus.
They moved to a farm in the St. Marys area in 1968. Winnie worked for 10 years at Town and Country Decorating in St. Marys and later as a full-time caregiver for the elderly and for area families with young children.
She was very active in the Wayne Street United Methodist Church in St. Marys and served as co-chairman of the church's Mission Commission.
She was also a member of the administrative board, the Sunshine Circle, and the After 5 Club. Winnie was a dedicated, community minded person who was passionate about interacting with people and loved caring for animals.
She managed a working livestock farm, was a 4-H adviser, a nutrition educator for Agape Ministries and a member of the Mothers' Study Club.
In 1992, Winnie was recognized by the St. Marys Business and Professional Women's Club as their "Woman of the Year".
She resided at Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community since December 1999, and recently her acrylic painting was awarded second place in the Leading Age Ohio Art Contest. She was also involved in swimming, and was a nursing council representative while living at Otterbein.
Winnie was always very generous with her time and touched the lives of many people.
Funeral rites will be held at noon Saturday in the Meyer Community Chapel on the campus of Otterbein St. Marys Retirement Community, with the Rev. Vince Lavieri and the Rev. Carol Sainey, officiants.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of services at Otterbein, where memorial gifts may be given to the Otterbein St. Marys Benevolence Fund. Condolences for Winnie's family may be sent via MillerFuneralHomes.net.