Nancy O'Connor

MARBLEHEAD – Nancy (Frost) O’Connor, age 89 passed away at the Bertram House located in Swampscott on May 3, 2021. Nancy was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts back on April 29, 1932, she was the only child of Karl M. Frost and Marion (Brown) Frost. Nancy graduated from Swampscott High School in 1950 and thereafter attended Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, graduating with an Associate Degree. Following her graduation from Endicott, Nancy, who always displayed a child-like enthusiasm and curiosity, became the owner and operator of a toy store located in Old Town Marblehead, known as the “Toy Wagon”, which she ran for several years up until the birth of her first child with her husband.

Nancy met the love of her life, Bart O’Connor back in 1955. Nancy and Bart were married thereafter on May 11, 1957, settling in Marblehead, where they raised their two children, Mark and Wendy.

Nancy had an adventurous and fun-loving spirit which was on full display throughout her lifetime. Nancy, a great lover of travel, enjoyed traveling throughout Europe, as well as to many exotic locations, such as Egypt, Thailand, Bali, Roatan and the Caribbean, with her Husband, Bart. Following the sale of their restaurant the “Tar and Feather” in Marblehead, Nancy and her Husband, Bart, went on to purchase the magnificent Ballyseede Castle Hotel, located in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, which they owned and operated for more than 24 years. Nancy who had a great talent for decorating, was solely responsible for the interior design of the castle, which has been featured in magazines and most recently was utilized for a scene on the Bachelor.

Nancy was also an avid and gifted gardener, a talent which she passed on to her son, Mark, owner and operator of the Marblehead Garden Center. While residing in their home on Marblehead Neck, Nancy would spend hours in her garden tending to her wide variety of flowers and plants, always interested and eager to add new varietals to her ever expanding gardens.

Nancy also was a tremendous lover of all animals. Nancy and her family always had a least one or more four-legged friends as additional members of their household. Up until the time of her passing, Nancy was still hoping to have a Bernese Mountain Dog come to join her at the Bertram House, to the extent that she could get it passed the front door! Nancy passed on this love of animals to both of her children, most especially to her daughter, Wendy, who has owned and operated her own animal boarding/rescue facility located in Tralee, Ireland for more than eighteen (18) years.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Wendy O’Connor, her son, Mark O’Connor and his wife, Kim-Marie Phelan, her granddaughter, Laura O’Connor and her grandson, Ryan O’Connor. Nancy was predeceased by her Husband, Bart O’Connor and her parents, Karl M. Frost and Marion (Brown) Frost.

Due to cemetery restrictions, a private graveside service will be held on Monday, May 10, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Waterside Cemetery, 294 West Shore Drive, Marblehead, MA 01945. For more information or online guestbook, please visit EustisandCornellfuneralhome.com or call (781) 631-0076.