Grace O'Connor

1914 - 2011

Grace (Maguire) O'Connor died of natural causes on Dec. 19, 2011. Grace was active in the Mosinee community for most of her 97 years.

She was born Nov. 21, 1914, on the Maguire family farm in Halder, the daughter of Leo and Margaret (Handrick) Maguire; and sister of Clara, Eileen, Anna and James.

Grace attended St. Robert's Elementary School, sometimes driving a horse and buggy to class. Grace and Clara then boarded at Aquinas High School in La Crosse, graduating in 1931. Grace loved music and, as a child and teen, learned to sing and play violin and piano; later in life, she taught herself the organ. She graduated magna cum laude from the College of St. Francis, Joliet, Ill., with a degree in Latin and English in 1935. Grace returned to teach Latin, English and speech at Mosinee High School, where she mentored many after-school clubs: yearbook, debate team, Latin Club, Library Club and helped establish the Mosinee Campfire Girls in the 1930s. She taught a total of 31 years — two at the senior high in Eau Claire and the remainder in Mosinee.

She married John J. "Jack" O'Connor on May 21, 1946, and they raised three children, Maureen, Michael and Marilyn. During these years, she served on the first St. Paul's Parish Board for seven years, sang with and was organist for St. Paul's adult choir, was an officer in St. Monica's Society, and served as historian, treasurer, secretary and president of the Catholic Women's Club.

Grace returned to teaching at MHS in 1960. Later in her career, she returned to UW-Stevens Point to earn certification in library sciences and worked as Mosinee High School librarian until her retirement in 1981 at age 67. In her retirement, Grace volunteered at the Dessert Public Library. She was instrumental in establishing the Pen Pal program at Mosinee Elementary School — connecting senior citizens with elementary school children. Grace was guest speaker at numerous MHS reunions and accompanist at many weddings, funerals, Masses and performances. She transported seniors to medical appointments and on shopping trips. Grace enjoyed trips to Ireland, England, Germany and Switzerland, with family and friends. In recent years, she lived at Cedar Ridge Elder Services in Mosinee.

The family thanks Cedar Ridge staff and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for their friendship and compassionate care.

Grace is survived by her children and their spouses, Maureen O'Connor and Mark Sanders of Woodside, Calif., Michael and Sandy O'Connor of Wausau, and Marilyn O'Connor and Jan Breitsprecher of Monona; grandchildren, Rosalee and James O'Connor; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George Grill and Dolores Maguire; many nieces and nephews and their families; friends and former students.

Grace was a friend to one and all and greatly enjoyed being with people. She had the Irish gift for gab and always had a ready smile, funny quip and the ability to make people feel valued. Grace touched countless lives in many life-affirming ways. She will be cherished always.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Michael O'Connor and designated for the Dessert Public Library.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee. The Rev. Donald Przybylski will officiate. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Mosinee. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, at Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, and again from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.