Mary Lou O'Connor

Mary Lou (Koshar) O'Connor passed away peacefully on January 6, 2025 at the age of 90. Mary Lou was born on June 24, 1934 in Watervliet, Michigan to Veronica (Krampac) and Anton Koshar. She graduated from Watervliet High School and was proud to be a banker throughout her professional life. She was active in St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Lyndonville, New York), Ascension Catholic Church (Kettering) and St. Leonard Senior Living Community (Centerville).

Mary Lou was a loving mother and is survived by her four children, John (Anna Marie), Fred, Mary Therese (Wayne Bader), and Jim (Kathy) as well as her former husband John O'Connor. She is dear Gramma to eleven grandchildren Caitlin, Sean, Kevin, Megan, Ryan, Lauren, Savannah, Spencer, Laurie, Matt, and Claire and Great-grandmother to Oscar, Blair, Maeve, Penelope, Emilia, Jameson, Ezra, and Lola. She was adored affectionately by three generations of Koshars as "Aunt Sistie", and is survived by her brother Robert (Theda) Koshar. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Anthony, Rudy, Louis, and sister Rose. She will also be missed by many in-laws, nieces and nephews, and several dear friends. 

Mary Lou was extremely proud to be a Mom and Gramma, and literally travelled the world to be involved with her children and grandchildren's activities, including visiting her military sons at multiple overseas assignments and her other children across the US. She was also very proud of her Slovenian heritage, and retained "old world" characteristics of being strong-willed, independent, and hard-working. In addition to her staunch Catholic faith, Mary Lou is well known for her vibrant flower gardens. Somewhere amongst her roses, irises, tulips, and various other mixed blooms there was always a modest shrine with a statue of Mary, along with bird feeders and bird baths. The windowsills in her home always teemed with plants competing for window space. In her other free time, Mary Lou also enjoyed being an usher at Artpark (Lewiston, New York), the Schuster Performing Arts Center (Dayton), and Victoria Theater (Dayton).

Visitation will be at Westbrock Funeral Home, 5980 Bigger Road, Kettering, Ohio on January 23 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Leonard Chapel, 8100 Clyo Road, Centerville, Ohio on January 24 at 11:00 am. The Rite of Committal will be completed during a separate private Interment at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Watervliet, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, Mary Lou's family asks you to consider a donation to one of the following:

St. Leonard Chapel Fund (https://www.chilivingcommunities.org/locations/ohio/st-leonard/about-us/make-a-gift)

Ohio's Hospice of Dayton (https://www.ohioshospice.org/dayton/)

Or simply enjoy a nice dinner out with family and friends, and while there, raise a glass of cheer with love in honor of Mary Lou's memory.