Catherine Rae "Cathy" O'Connor

Cathy O'Connor, beautiful wife (CATHY O), loving mother (MOM), devoted grandmother (GRAMMY), adoring aunt (Aunt Cathy) cherished friend (OCEAN GIRL), and "SPIRITUAL GUIDE/TEACHER" passed from this earth in Oklahoma City on January 30th after a lengthy battle with Lymphoma.Cathy was the consummate epitome of faith, family, and adventure and learned these traits at an early age from her family. Cathy had an adventurous spirit and got that from her Dad. Her faith came from her mother's side of the family-from her mother and her Uncle Hen-Hen (Henry), and her Aunt Peggy.These folks were an important part of her life, but none was probably more influential for she and her younger sister, Patricia (aka PAT/TRISH) than their older sister, Dorothy (aka DA and TAZ). DA was Cathy's best friend and a "second mother" to Cathy at an early age and that continued for her entire life! She always maintained that DA and DA's husband, Joe (Uncle Joe) were the "rocks" that helped shape her faith and cared for her soul!My sweet "CATHY O" was the love of my life for 50 years and my wonderful wife for 46 glorious years! She was a beautiful, smart, nurturing lady who stole ChrisO's heart starting in 1970 when they met at a campaign party for a mutual high school friend running for student council president. Since Chris O was the campaign manager, and it was love at first sight, ChrisO made sure that CATHYO was by his side during the campaign! Our love blossomed from there and we became "long distant lovers" while attending separate colleges. My girl loved me unconditionally and I will miss her great back rubs, sweet conversations, warm companionship, and beautiful face. "MOM" was a loving mother who always put her kids, Kelly and Candice first and was present for every school activity, recital, and sporting event. Candice would always say that her MOM was her best friend who gave infinite unconditional love. She was always a "shoulder to lean on" and her inspiration, comfort, and refuge. Similarly, Kelly would say that his MOM always offered unconditional love and support for him as a student and athlete when younger and gave life lessons for he and his family later in life."GRAMMY" was the most loving grandmother to her 5 grandchildren-Claire, Crawford, Charlie, Connor, and Kate. She was fun and creative with her grandkids-whether the activity was "pancakes w/GRAMMY", "tea party w/GRAMMY", "artwork and "Crafts w/Grammy" or in her role as "GRANDSTAND GRAMMY" where she cheered them all on-whether from the seats in a theatre or church to the bleachers at various sports complexes."OCEAN GIRL" had so many good friends who, like her, shared a deep faith and devotion to God. She shared many wonderful experiences that fed her soul and allowed her to travel to beautiful destinations with her faith friends. Whether she was finding introspection in the wilderness at a vision quest, walking a labyrinth or visiting a cathedral in France, or beating a drum at a native American drum session, she was always pushing herself to get closer to God.Cathy's devotion to God, to learning, and to helping others was her life's calling! She helped countless people in her role as a "TEACHER", mentor, "SPIRITUAL GUIDE" and counselor and assisted so many souls who needed her "healing touch"! She worked with young children as a teacher and director at WARM WORLD SCHOOL located in Church of the Servant. She also worked with Hispanic women at a converted high school where she helped them with life skills, English, and most of all, compassion. She continued to "pay it forward" as a teacher at Putnam City Academy where she earned the distinction of "TEACHER OF THE YEAR"! She taught there for many years and did a wonderful job of helping many young teen moms learn how to care for their children and find purpose in their lives. I can't tell you how many times we would be out to dinner and one of her former students would come up to her, give her a hug, and thank her for putting them on a path to a good life!Thank God for Cathy O'Connor-aka "CATHYO"-aka "MOM"-aka "GRAMMY"-aka "OCEAN GIRL"-aka "SPIRITUAL GUIDE/TEACHER"-aka "ONE OF GODS GREATEST GIFTS"!! Thank you-love you-miss you-see you in HEAVEN!!Cathy's family would like to thank all the wonderful, kind and caring medical angels who treated her for her Cancer including-but not limited to Dr. Bova and the medical team at the Coletta Cancer Center and Mercy Hospital, the doctors at MD Anderson/Houston, Dr. Khawandanah and his "transplant team" at Stephenson Cancer Center and the attending physicians at OU Hospital/OKC and OU Hospital/Edmond.Cathy was preceded in death by her father, Ransom H. Crawford and her mother Artie S. Crawford. Cathy is survived by her husband, Chris O'Connor and son, Kelly O'Connor and his wife Allie and their children-Claire, Crawford and Charlie, and daughter Candice O'Connor Wilcher and her husband Kevin Wilcher and their children-Connor and Kate, Cathy's older sister Dorothy McGraw, and her children Randy, his wife Diana, John McGraw, his wife Sonja, and James McGraw and sister Pat Carr and her husband, Rick Carr, husband Rick, and children Timothy Carr, wife Jennifer, Adam Carr, wife Julie Elise Breeding, husband Matt Sarah Kistner, husband Davidand numerous cousins and nephews whom Cathy loved dearly! In an effort to honor our sweet CathyO's life, we will conduct two services-the first will be a private service at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral East Garden with livestream available via link on Cathy's memorial page through the funeral home and on Facebook. Following services at St. Paul's, a public time of remembrance will be held at Smith & Kernke N. May Chapel at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday with livestream available for this time of celebration as well.