Mary Connor

Mary dedicated her life to teaching. She graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a BA in Anthropology in 1975. After receiving her BA, she earned three degrees from the University of Houston. A BS in Art Education in 1979, MED in Curriculum and Instruction in 1983, and FBA in Jewelry and Metal Smithing in 1990.

Over her teaching career, Mary taught students from ages 6 to 70. She started her teaching career at Scott Elementary School and then transferred to Dogan Elementary. She taught at Houston Independent School District for 29 years. During her 29 years with HISD, Mary received five ‘Teacher of the Year’ awards and retired in 2014.

From 2018 until the day before she passed, Mary taught English as a Second Language at Houston Community College Adult Education Southwest Team. She loved all her ESL students and received great joy in helping them become fluent in English.

Mary had many hobbies such as painting, touring art museums, reading, history, traveling, and genealogy.

She was also a lifelong lover of dogs and always rescued them from local animal shelters or from families who needed to rehome their pet. Over the years, her fur babies were Sam, Kayla, Bongo, Ladybug, Lola, Blue, and Tiffany.

Mary is preceded in death by her mother and father Marjorie and James Connor.

She is survived by her siblings James Edward Connor Jr., Sister-in-law Julie Gianelloni Connor and their son James Connor, Barbara Ann Connor (husband Chet Patrick) and their daughters Tierney Patrick (husband Scott Totten) and Kelsey Patrick, Debra Lynn Connor, and Carol Louise Connor Dodge (husband David Dodge) and their sons Ryan Dodge (wife Autumn Dodge) and Austin Dodge.

Mary touched and helped many people throughout her life. She is dearly loved and will be missed by her family, friends, coworkers, students, and fur babies.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 25, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to help save a life at Special Pals, 3830 Greenhouse Rd. Houston, Tx. 77084 (281-579-7387) or Citizens for Animal Protection, 17555 Katy Frwy. Houston, Tx. 77094 (281-497-0591).

Fond memories and expression of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkwestheimer.com for the Connor family.