Joyce Marie O'Connor's Obituary
Joyce Marie O’Connor, age 88, of St. Clair, passed away peacefully January 10, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born on May 18, 1935 to the late Max and Mary Pellegrini. She married the love of her life, James O’Connor on May 25, 1957. Joyce was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Clair. She was also active in the Meals on Wheels program for several years. However, most of Joyce’s time was spent being the best mother and wife she could be. Some of her hobbies included sewing and crocheting. That was so she could sew and crochet clothing and costumes for her children. She was an excellent cook, and put that on display on a daily basis. Joyce and her family loved playing cards, board games, and sports. They have played countless games of euchre, and spent many hours around the card table. Her credo was “Winning is Everything!” She enjoyed traveling with her husband, Jim. They went on multiple cruises and travelled all over the world together; from Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Ireland, to Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska. Every year for Christmas, Joyce and Jim would gift the family a week-long summer holiday. The O’Connor family would go to a complex of cottages in Lewiston, Michigan. This was a trip the children and grandchildren always looked forward to. Joyce was an avid Tigers and Red Wings fan, frequently watching games in her jersey and hat to cheer on her team. Joyce and Jim even flew to Washington DC to watch the Red Wings sweep the Capitals for the Stanley Cup in 1998. Joyce’s world revolved around her family. She cherished the time she spent with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to attend her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, their graduations, and to be their number one supporter. She was able to recognize and acknowledge the varied interests and needs of her children individually and supply the love and guidance to help them to achieve their maximum potential. She had the perfect balance of care and compassion, but wasn’t afraid to get feisty if someone needed to straighten up.
Above all, her sense of humor and light-up-a-room smile will be missed by all.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, James; and her children, Jim (Chris) O’Connor, Jeff (Anne) O’Connor, Jill (Paul) Beshears, Jeanne (Jack) Bulmer, John (Kara) O’Connor; grandchildren, Jesse (Ashley), Samantha, Maggie (Isaac), Phillip, Owen, Ian, Jordan, Jackie (Andrew), Quinn, James; great grandchildren, Addison and Cooper. She also treasured her relationships with nieces, nephews, extended family, including the families she gained through her children’s marriages.
She is preceded in death by her grandson, Scott O’Connor, and brother, Bert (Ann) Pellegrini.
A funeral mass will take place on Monday, January 15th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, Marysville. Visiting hours will be Sunday, January 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as well as one hour prior to the mass on Monday. A scripture service will be Sunday at 6:00 p.m. followed by a reflection time where family and friends will share stories of Joyce. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, St. Clair, grandchildren are to serve as pallbearers. Memorial donations are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project or Tunnels to Towers. To leave a message of comfort visit www.youngcolonial.com
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