Mary Margaret (Parrish) O'CONNOR

PARRISH, OCONNOR, SEGAR, KELLER, MILLS, MANN, BROWN, WILSON, DAMMANN, CHALFANT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/30/2009 at 10:42:47

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa
August 28, 2006

Mary Margaret O’Connor, daughter of Lyman B. and Flora (Segar) Parrish, was born July 18, 1913, in Woolstock, Wright County, Iowa. She attended rural school (where she met her future husband in fourth grade!). The next year the family moved into Woolstock where she completed her education, graduating from Woolstock High School in 1932 as valedictorian of her class of four. Following graduation, Mary lived with and kept house for a lady in Webster City. On March 24, 1936, Mary was united in marriage with Melvin O’Connor at the parsonage of United Brethren Church in Webster City. They lived and started farming on the O’Connor family farm northeast of Webster City. Two children were born to this union. The family moved to their own farm several years later. After farming for about 20 years they moved into Webster City where Mary worked in the cafeteria of the same elementary school where her husband served as custodian. When they retired from these jobs, they moved briefly to Arkansas and then back to Webster City. Due to Melvin’s failing health, the couple moved to Manning in 1992 to be near their daughter. After Melvin’s death in 1999, Mary remained in their home until November 2004 when her failing eyesight caused her to become a resident of the Manning Plaza Nursing Home.

While living in Webster City, Mary was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church and its Women’s Society. She was also a member of the OK Club. After moving to Manning, she became a member of the Manning United Methodist Church. In her spare time, Mary enjoyed reading, embroidering and, early in her life, gardening and canning. She was also a great cook. One highlight of her and Melvin’s life was a memorable trip to Hawaii with brother Joe and his wife Helen. Mary placed family above all else throughout her life. Near the end of May 2006, Mary’s health took a turn for the worse and she died at the Manning Plaza on Thursday, August 10, 2006, at the age of 93 years and 22 days. Funeral services were held this morning at the United Methodist Church, in Manning, with the interment on Tuesday, at 10:30 a.m. at Graceland Cemetery, in Webster City, with fellowship and luncheon to follow at Faith United Methodist Church, in Webster City.

Preceding Mary in death are her parents; husband; sister Lucille and brother Lee during the 1919 influenza epidemic; three additional brothers Dick, Charles and Dwight Parrish; and grandson-in-law Doug Dammann. She is survived by her son Melvin Duane O'Connor and wife Esther of Rogers, AR; daughter Pat and husband Bill Mills of Manning; four grandchildren: Kelly and husband Rob Chalfant of Bentonville, AR; Melissa and husband Chris Keller of Centerton, AR; Karol Dammann of Manning; and Scott Mills and wife Carrie of Des Moines; eight great-grandchildren: Amanda and Cody Chalfant; Ashley Keller; Kayla and Alex Dammann; and Cole, Morgan and Jessica Mills; brother Joe Parrish and wife Helen of Webster City; three sisters-in-law Gail Parrish of Ottumwa, Evelyn Brown of Webster City and Norma Jean Wilson of Webster City; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.