Jeanette A. O'Connor

Jeanette Ann (O’Donnell) O’Connor, 81, of Mission Viejo, entered Eternal Life on February 18, 2024, with loved ones by her side. She was born to the late Edward G. and Mary Alice O’Donnell, March 3, 1942, in Elyria, Ohio and was the eldest of four children (siblings Karen, Shelley and Edward). She grew up in Elyria, Ohio and she especially enjoyed twirling her baton, ice skating in the winter and boating on Lake Erie with her close-knit family. She graduated High School from St. Joseph’s Academy and went on to receive a Nursing Degree from Mercy College in Toledo. During that time, she met John O’Connor (Grafton, OH), the love of her life, and they were later married on August 1, 1964. Shortly before their wedding, John accepted a position with the Rigid Tool Company that afforded them the opportunity to move to Southern California where they would live together for 59 years of marriage. They took their time honeymooning across the country before settling into Van Nuys, where they welcomed their first-born daughter, Mary Kay (1965), followed by Kelly (1966). They moved to San Diego and their son Michael (1968) soon joined the family. Shortly thereafter, they bought their forever home in the new community of Mission Viejo and welcomed Colleen (1970) and Megan (1974). In 1975, John left Rigid Tool and started his own business, Shamrock Supply Company. Jeanette was very proud of John for the courage it took to venture out on his own and with her full support, it grew into a flourishing company.

Jeanette was a wonderful mother to her five children. She was known to have the amazing ability to pack up all the kids in the Country Squire station wagon and get everyone to their fields, courts, lessons, Girls Scout meetings all without the use of WAZE. Many outings included a triple rocky road from Clark’s on a hot summer day. Jeanette was a fun mom who allowed forts to be left up for days in the family room, played her children lullabies on the ukulele, and had a beater of frosting to lick from birthday cakes, which were always homemade.

Jeanette enjoyed taking camping trips across the country with the family to spend time in Ohio (because God knows she would never get on a plane). Stops along the way included white water rafting, and National Parks all while being serenaded by the voices of John Denver and Kenny Rogers. During those summer trips to Ohio, she especially enjoyed connecting with her siblings who she loved so very much. They were known to regularly talk and laugh all night until the sun rose. Jeanette’s sense of fun and adventure also included fearlessly packing up the van, often with her mother-in- law (in a wheelchair) and several other senior friends and driving to Las Vegas or another local casino. Stories of those escapades were among her favorites!

Jeanette was loyal and had many lifelong friends who she met through the early years from the Mission Viejo neighborhood, Old Mission, travel basketball, Mater Dei family, University of Dayton, Free to Be and friends from College Hospital to name a few. Jeanette enjoyed gathering people together and meeting with her Thursday Lunch Bunch, which was full of stories and laughter and was one of the highlights of her week.

Jeanette also enjoyed serving and sharing her Catholic faith as a parishioner of St. Kilian Catholic Church where in the early years she was a catechist for children with learning challenges as well as co-founding the Grief Support group in which she served for over ten years. During that time, many people would come to know the deeply compassionate side of Jeanette where she was known for listening and welcoming tears…saying, ‘it’s ok to cry’.

Jeanette’s pride and joy was watching her sixteen grandchildren grow. She loved one on one time, baking cookies with them, taking them for rides in her van (which she called her sanctuary), and sharing with them her love of music. She always decorated the house with each holiday and made it so special. Valentine’s Day was one of her favorites and all the grandchildren were invited to a special party where everyone felt Grandma’s unconditional love. She also enjoyed being on the sidelines or in the audience for the many activities of each of her grandchildren.

Jeanette had a way of seeing the good and unique qualities in everyone. One of her favorite songs was “Go Light Your World” by Chris Rice and she will be remembered for encouraging everyone to….

“Hold out your candle for all to see it…take your candle and go light your world.”

Jeanette is survived by her husband John O’Connor, five children: Mary Kay (Jim) Wente, Kelly (Tod) Murphy, Michael (Shannon) O’Connor, Colleen (Michael) Shepard, Megan (Alvin) Peters, sixteen grandchildren, Sisters Karen (Mike) McVeen and Shelley (John) McGraw, Brother Ed (Amy) O’Donnell as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jeanette’s family wishes to thank the staff at The Orchards Health Center as well as Providence Hospice for the compassionate and loving care they provided.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated:

March 11, 2024 at 11:00AM

St. Kilian Catholic Church

26872 Estanciero Drive

Mission Viejo, CA

Livestream link

https://youtube.com/live/Aa1bed5dlY8?feature=share

Followed by Lunch Reception in the Hall

*Jeanette loved all varieties of flowers so feel free to wear color to her service.

Private Internment at Holy Sepulchre

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lueveno Foundation online at http://luevanofoundation.org/live/?page_id=368