Kay P. O'Connor

KAY P. O’CONNOR

Kay P. O’Connor (nee Shisler), age 87, a former longtime Gage Park resident, passed away July 27.

            Born Nov. 12, 1934 in Chicago, Mrs. O’Connor grew up in Gage Park—near 52^nd and Christiana--attending Tonti Elementary School and then Gage Park High School. In the early 1950s she worked briefly as a classified ad-taker for the Southwest News-Herald, then headquartered at 5845 S. Kedzie.

            She married John J. O’Connor, a policeman, and together they raised six children in the community.

            Initially a full-time homemaker, she later worked for more than 20 years in a University of Illinois at Circle Campus bookstore, in the West Side’s medical district. She retired in 1998.

            For most of her life, she was a member of Elsdon United Methodist Church, 5258 S. Christiana.

            From 1966-2002, she owned a home near 56^th and St. Louis, across the street from Senka Park. She moved to Orland Park, and most recently lived in Monticello, Ind.

In addition to being the wife of the late John J. O’Connor, Mrs O’Connor was the wife of the late Eugene Tyrakowski. She was the mother of Kurt, Tarin (Joseph) Sullivan, Kelleen (James) Kenny, Brad, and the late Ryan and the late Mark. She was the grandmother of 15 and the great-grandmother of 16.

Visitation Monday,  August 1st from 10:00 A.M. until time of prayers 1:00 P.M. at the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, Crestwood. Interment Evergreen Cemetery in Evergreen Park. (708) 824-9000 or www.becvarfuneralhome.com 

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