Elizabeth Browne O'Connor

age 97, died peacefully in her home on the morning of November 30th, 2014. All of her children spent time by her side during her last days.

She was born March 3, 1917 in Brownsville, TX to Albert A. and Anna Scanlon Browne. Growing up in Brownsville, Elizabeth was bilingual. She was a 1937 graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, and went on to work for the U.S. State Department in the Executive Office Building, next to the West Wing, as well as the U.S. Embassy in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil during World War II. Here she met her future husband, John C. O’Connor, a Special Agent for the FBI, was soon married, and after the war, settled in Indianapolis. She was mother to 8 children, along with 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She was involved in countless volunteer and charitable activities including St. Joan of Arc parish, the Indianapolis Archdiocese, University of Notre Dame Alumni Club, St. Vincent Hospital, as well as Cathedral, Chatard, Brebeuf, and Ladywood High Schools. She was instrumental in bringing “Great Books” to the Indianapolis community, as an extra-curricular activity for middle schools and was also one of the organizing couples to found St. Marys’ Child Center, in 1961.

Elizabeth is survived by her children John (Jan), Elizabeth “Becky” Chandler (Jim), Kevin, Nancy McCleary (Dennis), Gerry (Pattie), Carolyn Ferry (Pete), Kathleen Pierce (Ken), and all her grand and great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, husband John, daughter Pat, sisters Julie and Alberta, brothers Bob, Augustine “Teen” and Jamie.

She enjoyed many summers in Palisades Park, Michigan which became the family gathering place. One of her favorite things was watching cooking shows and “The Price is Right” with her grandchildren. She loved being surrounded by family and friends and was happiest with them, enjoying life.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas parish at 46th & North Illinois St. at 11:00 am, Monday, January 5th, 2015, with calling Sunday, January 4th, from 3:00pm – 6:00pm at Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made to A Caring Place, 4609 N. Capital Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46208 or the Sunday Cathedral Soup Kitchen, c/o John Schaffner, 1215 Southbrook Dr., Indianapolis IN 46240. Memorial tributes may be offered at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com