Obituary of Kathleen Ann O'Connor

In Memory of Kathleen Ann O’Connor

November 18, 1931 – January 12, 2023

Obituary

Kathleen Ann Hurley was born on November 18, 1931. She grew-up in an era that included the Great Depression and World War II. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, she attended St. Saviour High School, and later earned her Bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame College, Staten Island. After college, and travelling through Europe, Kathleen’s best friend, Anne Mulvahill, while dating Jack O’Connor, thought it would be fun to introduce her to Tom, one of Jack’s brothers. Great plan indeed! Kathleen and Tom were married on July 10, 1954, in Brooklyn, NY, and eventually settled in Woodbury, NJ, where they raised their family. She worked as an elementary school teacher and then, earned a Master’s Degree to work as a guidance counselor, serving 20 years at the Woodbury High School.

Kathleen’s priorities throughout life were God, Family, and Community. These themes were interwoven throughout her life. She pursued a lifelong quest of learning more about her God and her faith. She was an avid advocate of Adult Faith Formation/Education. Kathleen was elected to the Woodbury City Council for multiple terms and served on the Woodbury Planning Board. She also enjoyed serving on her home owner’s association board.  She mothered six children and was a caregiver for her own parents when they retired.  Kathleen regularly volunteered at the Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministry’s Food Pantry and Joseph House of Camden, NJ.  Over the years she developed meaningful friendships which sustained her and became an important part of her life.

On January 12, 2023, Kathleen O’Connor passed. Her beloved husband Tom preceded her in death in 1992. She is the loving mother of Tim O’Connor (Nancy); Kevin O’Connor (Lynn); Maura O’Connor Torelli (Mike); Ted O’Connor (Dora), Suzie O’Connor McNamara (Tom), and Bridget O’Connor, who predeceased her in 1968; devoted grandmother of Tara O’Connor Foley (James), Elizabeth, Thomas (TJ), Joy, Michael, and Francis (Fran); Great Grandmother to Henry and Annabel Foley; Sister-in-Law to Ada O'Connor; and, 'Aunt Katie' to a number of nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to meet for her viewing on Monday, January 23 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm and Tuesday, January 24 from 9:00 – 10:30 am at McGuinness Funeral Home, 34 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 24 at 11:00 am at St. Patrick Church, 86 Cooper Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096, followed by interment at Wenonah Cemetery, Mantua, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathleen’s memory to Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministry’s Food Pantry, 330 E. Barber Ave., Woodbury, NJ 08096; Joseph House of Camden, 555 Atlantic Ave., Camden, NJ 08104; Project Home, 1515 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130; and Holy Angels R.C. Parish, 86 Cooper Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096.