Theresa C. O'Connor

1936 - 2025

Theresa C. O'Connor
Born: July 31, 1936 in Blue Island, IL
Died: November 8, 2025 in Joliet, IL
A devoted wife, mother, cherished grandmother, and faithful sister, cousin and friend, Theresa C. O'Connor lived a life rooted in faith and family. She touched many lives and leaves behind a legacy of kindness.
Theresa lived in Wilmington, Illinois. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Saturday evening, November 8, 2025 at the age of 89 at Lightways Hospice in Joliet.
Born July 31, 1936, in Blue Island, Illinois, Theresa was the daughter of Leo and Veronica (Haley) Keigher. She was raised in Joliet, attended St. Pat's and St. Ray's Grade Schools, and was a proud graduate of St. Francis Academy with the Class of 1954. She went on to work at Caterpillar Tractor Company and Argonne National Laboratory.
On June 14, 1958, Theresa married Jerry O'Connor at St. Ray's Cathedral. Together they cultivated a life of faith and love on their farm near Wilmington, raising their family with care and devotion.
As a dedicated wife, mother of six, grandmother of 24, and great-grandmother of two, Theresa and Jerry placed family at the center of their lives. They celebrated every milestone and attended countless performances and games. Theresa was especially thoughtful in sending cards for every occasion.
Proud of her Irish heritage and guided by deep faith, she was a devoted parishioner of St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington.
For the past 67 years, Theresa loved living on the family farm, a place that brought her great joy. Throughout the years, she enjoyed tending her flower and vegetable gardens and raising chickens and livestock. Following Jerry's passing 21 years ago, she continued to live on the farm spending more time gardening and sharing flowers and vegetables with all, and became a member of the Three Rivers Garden Club.
Theresa cherished time with her relatives, especially her sibling's birthday gatherings, her cousins' monthly get-togethers in Elwood, and family reunions. She enjoyed visiting so much that she and her siblings were often the last to leave. She organized the annual O'Connor Halloween Party at the Symerton Town Hall that has been celebrated for over 50 years, including this one.
Kindness came naturally to Theresa. She rarely complained, greeted others with a warm smile, and gave selflessly to family and friends.
Her life was a beautiful testament to faith, love, and strength-a legacy that will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her children: Marie (Daniel) O'Brien of Minooka, Illinois, Patrick (Anne) O'Connor of Frankfort, Illinois, Thomas (Sarah) O'Connor of San Diego, California, Michael (Debbie) O'Connor of Frankfort, Illinois, Peggy (Kevin) Feeney of Coal City, Illinois, and Jim (Hannah) O'Connor of Oak Park, Illinois; (24) grandchildren: Patrick O'Brien, Luke O'Brien, Connor (Stephanie) O'Brien, Maggie O'Brien, Hayden O'Brien, Maura O'Brien, Thomas O'Connor, James O'Connor, John O'Connor, Clare O'Connor, Lucy O'Connor, Taramarie O'Connor, Seamus O'Connor, Brennan O'Connor, Colin O'Connor, Ryan O'Connor, Lauren O'Connor, Madelyn O'Connor, Rose Feeney, Colleen Feeney, Jim Feeney, Bridget Feeney, Fiona O'Connor and Liam O'Connor; two great grandchildren: Theo O'Brien and Leo O'Brien; Siblings: Rita (the late Glen) Keenan, Eileen (Tom) Schiltz, Patrick (the late Carroll) Keigher, James (Joyce) Traina, and Kathleen (Warren) Lindsay; one sister-in-law, Angela (the late Ed) O'Connor and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as friends.
Theresa was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Veronica (Haley) Keigher; husband, Jerry (2004); three infant children: Carol Lynn, Joseph Vincent and Geralyn Theresa; two infant grandsons: Vincent Leo O'Connor and Daniel Gerald O'Brien; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Leo and Marie (Reiter) O'Connor; siblings: Mary (John) McGrail, Margie Keigher, Brother Francis "Leo" Keigher C.M., Lois (Thomas) Flavin, and Michael Keigher; her sister-in-law, Mary Jane (James) Keigher; one niece, Sheri Schiltz and one great niece, Marina Schiltz.
The family will receive friends for a visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington on Friday, November 14, 2025 between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow Saturday morning, November 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 604 S. Kankakee Street in Wilmington, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Revered Sebastian Gargol presiding and Deacon Jay Plese assisting.
Burial will be in Mount St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Wilton Center, where Theresa will be laid to rest with Jerry.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Theresa's memory to: 'Kuzma Care Cottage,' a local food pantry - https://www.kuzmacarecottage.org/
Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guestbook, upload photographs, and share Theresa's memorial page online through social media.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)