Kathryn J. O'Connor

Kathryn Kitty (Ryan) OConnor, age 90, of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully, Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Park View Health Center. Kitty was born on November 21, 1925 in Rockford Ill, the daughter of Raphael Shorty Ryan and Viola (Gibbs) Ryan. Kitty met Ray OConnor via a neighborhood friend, when they were seniors in high school. She graduated from Bishop Muldoon High School in 1943, and she and Ray were married on August 26, 1950 at St. Marys Church in Rockford. After Rays graduation from Notre Dame in 1951, Kitty and Ray lived in Milwaukee, Manitowoc, Watertown and Rockford, before moving to Oshkosh in 1967, living for 35 years on Hazel Street. Kitty moved to Park View in 2008. Both Kitty and Ray were active members of St. Marys parish in Oshkosh (now Most Blessed Sacrament), where Kitty was St. Marys first female lector. She was very active with Pregnancy Lifeline, and Kitty and Ray were longtime members of the Edgewater Club. Kitty was a den mother for several years for her sons Cub Scout pack, and very active in her childrens school and parent groups. Kitty had a lifelong interest in history, and was a charter member of the Winnebago County, Wisc., Genealogical Society. She was a talented seamstress, making many of her own clothes in her early years. Kitty was a lifelong, voracious reader. Both Kitty and Ray were proud of their Irish heritage and attended Irish Fest in Milwaukee for many years. They enjoyed travel, including many family camping trips, visiting a major part of the U.S. and southern Canada. After retirement, Kitty and Ray were fortunate to make several overseas trips and particularly enjoyed their trips to Ireland. Kitty is survived by sisters Phyllis Anderson of Rockford and Patricia (Jim) Meyer, San Diego; daughter Mary (Bob Bocher) of Monona, Wisc., and their daughters Claire (Andrew Pautz) and Lauren (fianc Kevin Meyer); Mike (Joan) of Oshkosh, and their children Paul (Carrie) and Ann (Mike) Linzbach; Kevin (Julie) of Minneapolis and their children Ryan, Will and Kyle; Dan (Kathy) of Minneapolis and their children Quinn, Brendan and Molly; and Sheila (Brook Hilleary) of Indianapolis; great grandchildren Kathleen, Elizabeth and Caroline OConnor; Liam and Declan Pautz, and newborn twin girls, who were born to Ann and Mike Linzbach on Dec. 1, as well as many nieces and nephews. Kitty was preceded in death by her husband Ray, infant daughter Maureen, her parents, brothers George, William and Jack Ryan, and brother-in-law, Mel Anderson. The family will greet relatives and friends from 8:30 to 10:00 on Saturday, December 12th at Most Blessed Sacrament (St. Marys site), 605 Merritt St., followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. A very special thank you to the tremendous staff at Park View Health Center, Prairie Side 1 for their many years of care for Kitty and their more recent care of Ray. The family cant say enough. And thanks to Affinity Hospice, specifically Ryan, for such wonderful compassion for both Kitty and Ray. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Kittys name may be directed to The Sewing Machine Project (thesewingmachineproject.org), Fr. Carrs Place 2B, Lourdes Academy, or Wisconsin Public Television.

Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Site



442 Monroe St
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
8:30 am until 10:00 am



Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Site



442 Monroe St
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
10:00 AM



Calvary Catholic Cemetery



Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901