Phyllis B. O’Connor, loving wife and mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Monday November 22, 2021 in Greenacres, Florida. Phyllis was born in Springfield, MA on March 19, 1931 to parents Peter and Agnes Brassard. She graduated from Cathedral High School and went on to pursue her passion for dance. By the age of 19, she was teaching dance classes in tap, jazz and ballet, attending dance seminars in New York City and had opened her own dance studio in Springfield, MA. She was a people person, whether she was teaching dance classes, square dancing with friends or socializing with her bowling teams. She loved spending time with family and friends. Her home was always the gathering spot and she made entertaining a crowd look effortless. There was always room for one more person at her table.
Phyllis enjoyed an amazing marriage of 70 years with her loving husband, James “Jim” O’Connor, raising three children, Chris, Tom, and Jim. She enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles, musicals, and baking. She was known for her special potato salad, apple squares, decorated cakes and dancing a time step whenever the mood struck.
When she became a grandmother, she was re-energized. She loved every minute of babysitting, chaperoning field trips, and attending every dance recital, soccer, and softball game possible. In 1994 she and Jim moved to Greenacres FL where they enjoyed many friendships, social activities, traveling and entertaining family and friends.
She is survived by her husband Jim O’Connor, daughter Christine Yelle, sons Tom O’Connor and Jim O’Connor (Peter Bonavia), her grandchildren, Alaina Coakley (Garrett Coakley), Jennifer Yelle, and Caitlin O’Connor, and her great grandson Daniel Coakley. Phyllis was predeceased by her brother Roland Brassard (Jack Sardella), her son in law Allen Yelle, and two honorary sisters, Patricia Ellis and Shirley Weferling-Morin.
Services will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, charitable gifts can be made to The Arthritis Foundation or The National Autism Association.
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