Melissa "Missy" O'Connor

Melissa (known as Missy) Joan O’Connor (Barnard), of Stafford, Virginia, expired peacefully on 4/30/2023 at Virginia Commonwealth University Health in Richmond, Virginia, because of massive brain hemorrhage.

Missy was formerly of Avon Lake, OH; beloved wife of Kevin O’Connor; loving mother of Sean (friend Kerri Ruckman) O’Connor and Elizabeth (Michael) Oliver; cherished daughter of Elizabeth Joan Barnard nee Nyerges and Dale Edward Barnard((both deceased); dear sister of Kurt W. Barnard of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Myles (Mary) Barnard of Wixom, and niece Mollie (Tony) Griffore of Milford, Michigan. Grandmother of Candice Oliver, Alana Oliver, Ian Oliver, Erin O’Connor, Evalyn O’Connor, and step-granddaughter Elizabeth Marrier. She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents, Charles (Dorothy) Barnard and William (Elinor) Nyerges.

Missy received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Cleveland State University. She previously received her LPN from the former St. Joseph School of Nursing in Lorain, Ohio. She graduated from Avon Lake High School in 1971.

Missy worked for several years as an LPN for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities at a residential facility, Applecreek Developmental Center. She later worked as an LPN and later as a facility Social Worker in Long Term Care. She specifically enjoyed her time with Palmcrest Bellaire in Cleveland, Avon Oaks Nursing Home of Avon, St. Augustine Skilled Nursing Facility of Cleveland, and A. M. McGregor Home in East Cleveland.

After retirement Missy spent countless hours communicating with friends on Facebook. She also enjoyed her time spent with her granddaughters. Prior to her death, she was also actively involved in the daytime care of her two-year-old grandson, Ian.

Missy will be remembered as a lover of animals, particularly dogs and wild newborn deer. Her favorites pets dogs Amadeus, & Carmen (both deceased), and surviving Chili.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and aides at VCU Health for their kind and supportive care.

Per her request, Missy was able to donate her corneas and other bodily tissues for transplant to LifeNet Health of Virginia.

Those wishing to donate in her memory are invited to support one of her favorite nonprofit organizations: Friendship APL, 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035. https://friendshipapl.org/donate

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