Jacqueline Ann O'Connor

Jacqueline Ann O’Connor, recently of 1517 Autumn Land, Sandpoint, Idaho, passed away peacefully with loved ones at her side on Thursday June 1, 2017, and is now at home with her beloved Savior.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Josephine Cyr; husband Robert M. O’Connor; eldest son Michael R. O’Connor; and sisters Beverly McClatchy and Patty Ann Cyr. She is survived by her children, Shelley A. O’Connor, Valerie L. O’Connor, Kevin J. O’Connor, Scott W., Brett D. O’Connor, and Erin C. Nevers; her grandchildren, Shaun, Allyson, Paul, Kelly, Jackie, Kyle, Kate, Michael, and Corey; her great-grandchildren, Kale and McKinley; daughters-in-law Louise O’Connor, and Glenda O’Connor; sons-in-law Douglas Gallagher, and Gordon Nevers; and siblings William Cyr, Janice Schiff, Beatrice Wagner, Carol Nelson and Sharon Boroski.

Jackie was born on May 13, 1926, in Fowler, Indiana, and was the eldest of eight children. She grew up on the family farm and frequently recalled many fond memories of her life surrounded by family and friends, taking special delight in holiday gatherings with her grandparents.

Following her graduation from Fowler High School, Jackie attended nursing school at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana, where she met her husband-to-be, Robert (Bob) O’Connor. On Jan. 4, 1947, Jackie and Bob were married in Jackie’s hometown of Fowler.

In 1951, following Bob’s graduation from Purdue University, they moved their growing family to Madison, Wis., where Bob began his career with Oscar Mayer. Throughout her busy years spent raising and caring for seven children, Jackie still found time to teach herself to sew, becoming an accomplished seamstress, even making silk ties for Bob, men’s suits and formal gowns Jackie was also an avid reader who especially loved historical accounts of life in the West.

With children grown and gone, Jackie and Bob took to the road with many sightseeing treks across the U.S. and Canada. Jackie fell in love with the West and upon Bob’s retirement, they moved to Spokane, Washington, also living for a time in Missoula, Montana. Following Bob’s passing in 2000, Jackie returned to Indiana before heading back west to Rathdrum, Idaho. and most recently Sandpoint.

Jackie loved researching and recounting her family history, creating detailed accounts of her Cyr and Theis ancestors. Perhaps Jackie’s greatest legacy was her remarkable ability to meet and make friends wherever she went, offering her generosity, compassion and love with so many along the way. She will be greatly missed by all whose hearts she touched.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held in Jackie’s honor on a later date in Lafayette, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Bob; and son, Michael.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jackie’s long time favorite charity, St. Joseph’s Indian School, PO Box 300, Chamberlain, SD 57325. (stjo.org). Her family offers a sincere thank you to the many wonderful people who cared for Jackie over the years and especially to Jackie’s son, Brett, who lived with and cared for Jackie the last 10 years of her life.

Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook, for Jacqueline, at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Coffelt Funeral Service.