Therese "Terry" O'Connor

Her last few months were not easy following a stroke in early October, but throughout her struggles and as she took her leave, she was supported and surrounded by the love of family and her beloved caregivers.

Terry was born September 18, 1934 in Lestock, Saskatchewan, the first of 4 children, to Ida and Laurent Thibodeau. Her parents instilled a strong faith in God, the importance of family, a solid work ethic, and a desire to help others.

While nursing at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, she met Tom O’Connor, a handsome and charming Irishman from Kanturk, Co. Cork. When Tom was transferred to Edmonton by his employer Trans Canada Airlines (later to be Air Canada) she agreed to move as well, and they were married there in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Nov.23, 1957. Within 7 years they produced 8 children, including stillborn twin boys. Life with 6 kids was surely not easy, but theirs was a home filled to the brim with family, friends, laughter and love. Terry was cheerful, funny, out-going, and patience personified. Criticism of others was met with “Well it would be a boring world if we were all the same.” She loved music, babies and sweets, although she would always say guilty as she ate “I’m sure this is loaded!” Even as her memory failed, her sense of humour remained – she was the queen of the one-liners. “What did you have for dinner mom?” Food of course!” During her time in hospital, if you asked how she was feeling the answer was often “with my fingers!”

From dragging 6 kids and suitcases full of diapers and rubber boots to Ireland twice a year (nearly a 24 hr. journey in the early days), and hosting holiday dinners for 16+, to volunteering with Birthright, and organizing a support group with her neighbor Pat Alexander for stay at home moms in their community, to walking the picket line during Alberta’s first nurses strike and protesting government policies at the Legislature (she always referred to the premier of the time as ‘Mr. Klein, and she was most definitely not a fan!), to organizing masses for the residents of a nearby nursing home and so much more, ‘everything she did in life was motivated by her compassion, kindness and empathy for others. ‘To paraphrase her first grandchild Caitrin – ‘Grandma was a good person in the truest sense. She never complained. She never wanted for what she did not have. She did not judge, she had compassion for everyone. She lived everyday with gratitude. She did not think she was exceptional, although she most definitely was. Being good lived in her, she gave only love to this world.’

Terry is survived by her 6 children and their families: Joanne and Tom Hodson, Caitrin, Sean and Ashleigh (Thomas, Miles), Lauren and Geoff Chisholm, and Cristin; Elaine and Dave Sigalet, Geoffrey and Rhiannon (Madeleine, Lucille Therese), Brendan and Meg (Jack, Henry, August), Michael and Deb (Stella, Sacha), and Erin; Neil and Jane, Thomas Willie, Katie and Kai Holloway, nee Leslie (Maddie, Jack, Georgia)and Bobbie Leslie, Kevin and Paola, Gerald and Sue, Meggie and Keira; Karen and Marvin Reschke, Shannon, Connor, and Liam.

She also leaves her brother Douglas and his wife Fern, brother-in-law Gary Kind, Tom’s sister Sr. Louis-Marie (auntie Sheila), sister-in-laws Pat, Mildred, Ann and Eileen O’Connor, and oh so many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband Tom, her twin sons Peter and Paul, her parents Ida and Laurent Thibodeau, her sister and brother-in-law Lucille and Jean-Paul Guenette, her sister Irene Kind, Tom’s parents Cornelius and Josephine, his brothers and sisters-in-law Bernie and Margaret, Der and Joan, his brothers Noel, Vince, Denis and Hugo, and his sisters Marie and Frieda.

On behalf of Terry, the family would like to thank all those who visited and supported mom over the years. We would like to offer special thanks to Pat O’Connor and Sheila Sutherland for all the time they so generously spent with mom these past few months, to Dr. Eric Wasylenko whose advice and wisdom helped us all near the end, to Colleen Hucul who was unstinting in her support over the past year or so, and most especially to mom’s angels here on earth – Reeza Monte Mayor, Cora Salazar and Feona Mateo. Their loving and compassionate care over the last several years allowed mom to fulfill her wish to remain in her own home for as long as possible, far longer than would have been possible otherwise. She loved you all.

Mass will be held at Resurrection Church on Thursday January 11, 2024 at 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life at Hainstock's Funeral Home, 9810 - 34 Avenue, Edmonton on Thursday January 11, 2024 at 12:30pm with Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the MS Society, the Alzheimer’s Association or the Heart & Stroke Fund would be much appreciated.