Shirley O'Connor

Shirley Ann (Sander) O’Connor was born on July 12, 1934 in Gordonville, MO to Leo and Hermine (Wessel) Sander. She was baptized on July 26, 1934 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gordonville. She was confirmed there on March 21, 1948. Shirley entered Heaven on November 7, 2021 at the age of 87.

While attending Jackson High School, she met the love of her life, Rod O’Connor. Upon graduation she followed him to SEMO in Cape Girardeau, MO where she majored in education. She and Rod graduated with honors in 1955. On August 7 of that year the couple married in Gordonville and left for Berkley, CA. There Rod attended graduate school and Shirley taught sixth grade in San Leandro. In 1957 she resigned her position to have their first child, Mark.

The family left CA for Omaha where Kara was born in 1958. As Rod continued to pursue his career as a chemistry professor, the family moved around and grew in size. Shanna was born in Montana in 1965, and three years later Tim was born in Tucson. Shirley created happy households wherever the O’Connor clan settled. In 1973 they arrived in College Station, TX. The family joined Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, sister (Leola Ruch), brother (Rol Sander), son (Mark), and her beloved husband of 59 years. She is survived by her children, Kara Sabrsula and husband Dub; Shanna O’Connor and grandcat, Moriah; and Tim O’Connor and wife Mary. She also leaves behind six grandchildren: Justin and Ryan Sabrsula; Kyle O’Connor; Katherine, Alexander, and Caroline O’Connor; Dylan and Caleb Sabrsula; and Julia and Connor Sabrsula.

Shirley will be remembered on Friday, November 12 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 1107 Krenek Tap Road in College Station. The viewing will begin at 9:30 am followed by the funeral service at 10:00 am. Christian burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in College Station, then friends and family are invited back to the church for lunch.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church or the National Parkinson’s Foundation.

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