Carol Hedman O’Conor, age 100, formerly of Ottawa, Illinois, died peacefully surrounded by family on October 18 in Evanston, IL.
Visitation will be at St. Columba Church on Friday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00. Burial will be private and follow immediately at St. Vincent Cemetery in LaSalle, IL.
Carol was born December 5, 1925, in Evanston, IL to Lillian (Noth) and Herbert R. Hedman and grew up in Winnetka, IL. A graduate of New Trier High School, she attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL before transferring to National College of Education in Evanston, where she majored in Education. Upon graduation, she taught primary grades at Dwight School in Englewood, NJ. Then she moved to the Los Angeles area where she taught primary grades at public schools in Long Beach and Inglewood.
Carol married Andrew J. O’Conor of Ottawa, IL on September 13, 1952 at Saints Faith, Hope & Charity Church in Winnetka before moving to Ottawa as a young bride. She and Andrew enjoyed nearly 46 steadfast and joyful years of marriage, building their home in Ottawa that was the center of their family life for nearly 70 years. They traveled widely together, both in and outside of the U.S. Throughout her many years in Ottawa, Carol served many local organizations, including the Pink Ladies at Ryburn Hospital, Easter Seals board, St. Columba School board, the Child Welfare Guild, Community Hospital of Ottawa Foundation, and the Health Center of Eastern LaSalle County. Carol also enjoyed working as an ESL volunteer and being an active member of the Heritage Corridor Art program and Helia Clubs.
After her husband’s death in 1998, Carol lived a remarkably independent life in Ottawa, the town she called home. Faithfully renewing her driver’s license every year into her 90s, she enjoyed bridge, opera and symphony, gardening, reading and traveling. Carol loved keeping up with her children’s and grandchildren’s lives, whether in person or online. In 2021 she returned to Evanston to live at Westminster Place to be closer to family.
Carol was a devoted wife and mother, cherished grandmother and great-grandmother, and faithful sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many. She will be remembered for her empathy for and kindness to others, a straightforward approach to managing life’s challenges, and her ever-present sense of fun and infectious sense of humor.
Carol is survived by her children Kathleen (Robert) Finn of Shelburne, VT; Andrew J. O’Conor Jr., (Katherine) of Winnetka, IL; Jane O’Conor (Robert MacKinnon) of Portland, ME and Megan O’Conor of Stillwater, MN. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Andrew, Robert, Nicholas and Scott O’Conor; Maura O’Conor; Robert Finn III, Molly (Dan Foiles) and Anne (Jack Barber); 4 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; and many lifelong friends of all ages.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Catherine Cutler and Margot Schneidau, nephew Chris Schneidau, and son-in-law Harold “John” Honebrink.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation online to The Child Welfare Guild of Ottawa or St. Brigid Parish (Restoration Fund) in Ottawa, IL. Donations may also be made online to Westminster Place New Hope Scholarship Fund in Evanston, IL.
The online guest book may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.ottawafuneralhome.com
Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory
1111 LaSalle St, Ottawa Illinois 61350
815-433-0300
www.ottawafuneralhome.com