JoAnn E. O’Connor, age 85, of Longwood, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2022, surrounded by her family. JoAnn was born on November 14, 1936, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Mary and John Grant.
After graduating from Holmes High School in Covington, Kentucky in 1955, JoAnn went to work at AT&T as a phone operator. She met Bob through his sister Marie, her friend and coworker. Bob and JoAnn married at Holy Cross Church on September 17, 1960. They lived in Cincinnati until relocating to Florida in 1980. Bob was the love of JoAnn’s life, and he never left her side during their 61 plus years of marriage. JoAnn was a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family, playing cards and games, listening to music, reading, going on cruises, and attending church. Affectionately known as ‘Mema’, JoAnn doted on her grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. JoAnn’s strength was to be admired, as her 25-year journey with Parkinson’s Disease was longer than most. She persevered through it all until the Good Lord called her home to rest.
Besides her loving husband, Robert P. O’Connor, JoAnn is survived by her son Robert P. (Maria) O’Connor, Jr., her daughters Kimberly (John) Derion and Jennifer (Jordan) Godfrey; six grandchildren: Grant, Kelsie, Lia, Curtis, Shae, and Sean; two step-grandchildren: Michael and Sean; one great step-grandchild Leyla; her two brothers: William (Marlene) Grant and Richard (the late Laura) Grant; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their families. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters: Bea, Marge, Betty, Jean and two brothers John and Howard.