Lois Heckler Weiss

Proud of her Brooklyn roots, Lois moved to Bethel with her parents, Albert and Sylvia Heckler, when she was some twelve years old and began a Connecticut adventure that never ended. She hiked the Appalachian Trail with the Girl Scouts, marched in parades with the Grassy Plain Drum Corps., played basketball and acted in plays at Bethel High School. She lived life full of curiosity and sought new possibilities always.

She became a teacher–earned a Bachelor’s, a Master’s and a Sixth Year Degree from Western Connecticut State University. After working briefly in an elementary school in Ridgefield, she joined the Bethel Public Schools where she taught kindergarten and first grade for many years. Later, as a reading consultant, she launched several reading incentive programs, with acronyms like SOAR and ROAR, that made her proud.

In 1962, she married John O’Hara, Jr., and, with their two children, John and Susan, she began vacationing on Newfound Lake in New Hampshire. Even after she was widowed with two young children, Lois kept driving up every summer–to play cards on the beach and take boat rides. The lake gave her over fifty years of sunsets and lifelong friends.

No matter whose birthday it was, Lois wanted to celebrate. She enjoyed hosting big backyard picnics and parties that brought family and friends together. She loved gathering with old high school friends, playing a bit of Trivial Pursuit, then heading out to new restaurants every other month.

Lois retired from teaching so she could spend time with her new husband, and old college beau, William Weiss. Together, they traveled to Scotland, Mexico, Norway and Canada and many other countries–though Lois may have best-loved the days they were just relaxing at home with her grandson.

After retiring from teaching, her commitment to education continued. She volunteered at Pathways Academy, worked with Delta Kappa Gamma, and joined the Bethel High School Alumni Association. Always a dog lover, she especially loved working with the Comfort Dog Program with Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Predeceased by her husband, William F. Weiss, and her brother, Albert Heckler, Jr., Lois is survived by her sister-in-law Margarita Heckler, her children Susan and John O’Hara, her grandson Matthew O’Hara, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00am on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 18 Clapboard Ridge Rd., Danbury, CT.

Friends will be received from 4:00pm - 6:00pm on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, CT.

Donations in Lois’ memory may be made to Immanuel Lutheran School, Danbury, or to the Bethel Fire Department.