Catherine O'Connell Obituary

O'Connell, Catherine 87, returned to God on December 20, 2007, in St. Louis, Missouri. Kay, as she was lovingly known, was born on July 29, 1920 in Chicago, IL as the third child of Anne Quinn O'Connell and Cornelius O'Connell. She moved with her mother and two sisters, Mary and Connie to New Orlean during the 1930's where she skipped eighth grade and continued her schooling at St. Mary's Dominican High School. There she met and maintained many life-long friends. Upon the family's return to Chicago, Kay attended Loyola University for a few years then began her long career with AT&T as an operator then a supervisor. She enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe, especially to visit relatives in Ireland. She also learned to fly airplanes. She has many life-long friends in the Chicago area. Kay was a faithful member of St. Margaret Mary's Church in Chicago until she moved to Grand Court I, an independent living community for seniors in Kansas City. In her final months Kay was a resident at Anna House in the St. Louis area. Kay is survived by her nephews and nieces and their spouses: Cathy and Greg Steigerwald of Arlington, Virginia; Jane and Preston Blackburn of Woodbridge, Virginia; Daniel and Carol Morper of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Mary Kennedy of Tucson, Arizona; Sr. Christine Wiltrakis, MSBT of Holy Trinity, Alabama; John and Joyce Wiltrakis of Leawood, Kansas, all of their children, grandchildren and many friends. The Mass of the Resurrection and interment will take place at St. Anne's Parish, Arlington, Virginia on January 5, 2008. Donations in lieu of flowers, may be sent to St. Mary's Dominican High School, 7701 Walmsley Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70125 to help them recover from the ravages of Hurrican Katrina.