Obituary: Eileen F. O’Connor, 78, of Southbury

Information via Arrangements by Carpino Funeral Home, Southbury, CT

Southbury - Eileen F. O’Connor, 78, passed away peacefully July 13th, at her home in Heritage Village, Southbury, CT, where she resided since 2007. She was born March 6, 1939, in Winsted, CT, to John and Helen (Quinn) O’Connor.

She attended The Gilbert School in Winsted, Class of 1957, then graduated from Danbury State Teachers College (WCSU now) with a B.S. in elementary education in 1961. “Red” was a four sport athlete with a love for basketball she could never shake. She married and raised her family in New Fairfield.

She attained her master’s degree from WCSU, cum laude, in 1981. After taking time off to raise 4 children, she went back into the classroom as a first grade teacher and a mentor/master teacher for college students and recent graduates. She loved her Hayestown Elementary family very much, keeping in touch well after retirement. Eileen loved to travel, eventually getting to Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Turin, Italy, for the 2006 Olympics.

She was a huge UCONN women’s basketball fan, and followed the WNBA avidly. Her love of music led her to join Harmony on the Sound of Sweet Adelaines International over 15 years ago.

She is survived by her daughters, Catherine (Auburn, ME) and her husband Matthew, Mary Ellen (Danbury, CT), and her son, Timothy (Waxahachie, TX) and his wife Laura, daughter-in-law Sandy Pascoe (Southbury, CT), grandchildren Dennis, Rachel, Erik, Liam and Brendolyn, 2 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, her brother John (Canaan, CT) and his wife Carolyn, sister-in-law, Noreen Craig (Marietta, GA), and godchildren Brett Rankin (ME), Regina Evans (PA), Carrie Fowler (GA).

She is predeceased by her parents, and son Dennis. Services will be held Friday, July 21, at Sacred Heart Church 910 Main St. So, Southbury, CT, starting with calling hours 10am-noon, brief prayer/memorial service 12-12:30 followed immediately by a light lunch reception in the adjacent hall to celebrate her life.

It is her request that no one wear black, and to enjoy meeting and sharing stories with all the wonderful friends and family from all stages of her life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Cure4Cam Childhood Cancer Foundation, www.cure4cam.org (cards will also be available at the church). Arrangements by Carpino Funeral Home, Southbury, CT