Mary Adrienne O’Connor

Mary Adrienne O’Connor of Palo Alto, CA passed peacefully into eternal life on November 25, 2025 at the age of 90. Mary was the only daughter born to Crescent and Bernice (nee Sewell) O’Connor in Chicago, Illinois on September 24, 1935. Beloved by her four brothers who all predeceased her - Jerome (Lorry), Joseph (Jane), Paul (Pam) and Denis Michael (Susan, Ann). Admired and adored aunt to many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Cherished friend, mentor and teacher to many.

After graduating from St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN, Mary began a long and fulfilling teaching career, which included living and teaching in Germany, Australia, Singapore and California. Mary was a passionate and gifted educator who worked with the immigrant population in the San Jose, CA area as a reading specialist, administrator and principal. Mary spent some of her summers in Mexico perfecting her Spanish, building clean water systems in Nicaragua and tutoring students for the Mayan Education Foundation. Mary’s teaching career continued well after she retired as she continued to teach adult literacy in East Palo Alto and ESL at the Catholic Workers’ House of Redwood City into her 89th year.

Mary loved to travel and had a genuine interest and respect for other cultures. She traveled to every continent with the exception of Antarctica. She organized and led several trips to Cuba, Sierra Club rafting trips on the major rivers of the west as well as many international trips. Mary loved nature, skiing, hiking and frequently backpacked in the Sierras and proudly completed the John Muir Trail.

Mary was an inspiration to anyone who knew her as her kindness, generosity, desire for adventure and determination were just a few of her redeeming qualities. She was a social justice advocate and supporter. She provided hands-on help to people in need through the Catholic Workers’ House of Redwood City, St. Thomas Aquinas Church Community, commitments to the Society of Jesus Jesuits, among many other organizations.

A funeral and celebration of Mary’s incredible life will be held at a future date at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Palo Alto, CA.