Mary Ann O'Connor

Mary Ann O’Connor, 76, of Naples, Florida, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and cherished matriarch of her family, passed away after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer on November 19, surrounded by her devoted daughter Kara O’Connor, adoring grandchildren Tyler, Kailee, and Trent, and beloved husband Michael, of 54 years, at her side as she left to join our Lord and the other angels.

Mary Ann was a role model of a loving person whose essence was her legacy of being caring, compassionate, and selfless. She was born on December 19, 1945, to Allston and Marion Patterson in New Britain, CT. After Mary Ann graduated from Pulaski High in New Britain, she earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Central Connecticut State College and then went on to earn her Masters in Education. Mary Ann was creative, artistic, and talented in many ways including as a young dancer, tennis champion and model in her teenage years. She was also a one of a kind, creative, and phenomenal teacher.

After graduating from CCSC, she began her career in Elementary Education by following her life’s passion-driven mission to transform the lives of children. Her actions consistently focused on what each and every child needed in order to make their lives more calm, secure, hopeful, and happy. She was not just their teacher—she was their angel in the classroom and beyond. Mary Ann was a humble person who did not care about status, fame, or wealth. Instead, she demonstrated the value of humility, kindness, compassion, and focused on each person in life’s self-selected talents. Mary Ann was both extraordinarily grateful and gracious, and had a soft spot for anyone who was hurting, suffering or grieving. Her favorite memories were of giving or sharing in the simple, joyful gifts and experiences of life with others. Mary Ann was a precious helper for her family and others, and by doing so, serving God in her own ways.

Mary Ann was a responsible care-giver who was like a second mother for many. She sought to make sure everything was in order in life, and done properly in ways that brought joy and happiness to others and their lives. Within her own family, this was evident in the effort she exerted that made her the family and house that guests viewed as their favorite and favorite chef, baker, spoiler and comforter.

Mary Ann excelled in many areas of her life including the business world where she helped manage and develop the family business with her husband, associates, and clients. Her contributions over several decades consistently supported the on-going initial mission of their business contributions which focused on a values-based commitment to helping others in their LIFE by timeless principles, insights, and practical resources for ‘Living In Fuller Effectiveness.’ In this regard, when asked what she viewed as her greatest contribution in her life, she quietly responded her marriage and family—. She not only succeeded, but far surpassed expectations with her talents in this area. Especially her continuing hope to guide and nurture her children, their friends, her grandchildren, other family members, friends, and others in ways that made the world a better place for all.

She will be remembered for her selfless nature, her caring patience, and her selective, timely, and keen wit. Mary Ann was the heartbeat of her family in which she guided with her strong moral compass. She was blessed with extraordinary, innate, intuitive wisdom as a person recognized as very ‘People Smart’ by those who came to know her and benefit from her kindness, ability to see truth, and do good. She was a wise mentor, counselor to all, and prayer warrior for her loved ones and those in need.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Michael, daughter Kara O’Connor and children (grandchildren) Trent, Kailee and Tyler Hill (Naples, FL), her son Kevin (Rachel) O’Connor and children (grandchildren) Ryan and Daniel O’Connor (Bedford, NH), brother Robert (Marion) Patterson (Pensacola, FL), brother in-law William O’Connor (Connecticut), niece Karen (Jim) Hagerott (Pensacola, FL), Nephews Bob (Barb) Patterson, Sean (Jill) O’Connor. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant sister Mary Elaine Patterson, and sisters in-law; Ardell Patterson and Charlotte O’Connor.

Mary Ann will be honored at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, on Friday, December 2nd. Guests wishing to say a private prayer may do so at the closed casket time provided prior to the 10am mass . Those who are unable to attend in person may still do so remotely through the church’s live streaming at its website (www.sjecc.com) by scrolling down to on-line funeral mass for the on-line live mass streaming. Interment will immediately follow. All family and friends are welcomed to join the family at a 12 noon lunch reception and tribute back at St. John’s church’s Nazarath room.

Mary Ann’s legacy will carry on through a project that she and her daughter (also a teacher – in Collier County) have been doing informally on their own for decades, in which they gave gifts and gift bags to students whom were grieving or suffering from social/emotional challenges such as social isolation/awkwardness, extreme anxiety, extreme shyness, various causes of suffering, or grief. This project and legacy will now be named the “A touch of love” project in honor of Mary Ann. It will continue on in her name in MN, FL, CT, as well as for local students chosen by teachers, for nursing home patients in CT, and long term patients chosen at NCH through nurses whom cared for her along the way. This simple, practical effort for caring for and comforting children and other ill adults in their darkest moments will carry on through such like-minded caregivers and donors.

Those wishing to contribute to her lasting gift for others are urged to make their donations to the “A touch of Love” legacy project in honor and memory of Mary Ann O’Connor. Donations may be made via Venmo (Atouchoflovelegacy), CashApp ($Atouchoflovelegacy), or Pay Pal.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hodgesfhatnaplesmg.com for the O'Connor family.