Chris O'Connell

Chris was born in Columbus, Ohio on December 2, 1926, and like many, came to Austin to attend the University of Texas but stayed and made a life here. She graduated from U.T. with a degree in Home Economics, taught at St. Austin Catholic School and St. Louis Catholic School, and retired after a long career as a purchasing agent for the U.T. Division of Housing and Food Service.

Chris and her husband, E.P. O’Connell, were married for 60 years before E.P.’s death in January of 2009. Together they raised four children and were very involved in the lives of their nine grandchildren, all of whom dropped by frequently for their love and attention.

Chris was known throughout Austin as a baker of the most beautiful and delicious cookies, and friends and family all knew that they could stop by the house anytime and enjoy samples of the dozens of varieties that Chris spent so much time baking during her retirement. She became famous for the trays she would put together for any and every family occasion or charitable event. When asked why she didn’t sell her fabulous cookies, Chris always replied, “Then it would be work!”

Chris is survived by her children and grandchildren: son, Mike O’Connell, his wife, Cathy O’Connell, and their children, Kristin and Steven O’Connell; son, Patrick O’Connell, his wife, Jan Soifer, and their children, Brad and Ally O’Connell; daughter, Elizabeth O’Connell Walker, and her children, Jordan and Brandt Walker; daughter, Margaret O’Connell Land, and her children, Nicholas, Elizabeth Anne, and Olivia Land; and her sister, Sue Artuso, her many nieces and nephews and other beloved relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive, Austin, Texas 78731. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Theresa’s Catholic School, 4311 Small Drive, Austin, Texas 78731 or St. Louis Catholic School, 2114 St. Joseph Blvd., Austin, Texas 78757.