Obituary of Shirley O'Connor

Shirley Ann O'Connor August 14, 1927 - May 10, 2013 Shirley O'Connor, a 43 year resident of Lake Havasu City, passed away May 10th at age 85. She was born on August 14, 1927 in Meadow Grove, Nebraska to Darby and Norma (Wiese) Blair and grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska. Shirley met her husband Bill, in Omaha, Nebraska where they were wed in 1947. In 1948, they moved to the San Fernando Valley, California where they worked and raised their five children. They moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona in 1970 where they were one of the original pioneers. They started and operated the Lake Havasu branch of the White Sheet newspaper. Among family and friends, Shirley was best known for her warm smile, kindness and generosity. She enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada and playing in blackjack tournaments. She was a great cook and loved having the family over for dinner, especially during the holidays. Dancing was one of her favorite things she enjoyed doing. After her retirement from the White Sheet, she and Bill were able to travel to many places around the world, favoring ocean cruises. On one of their trips, Bill surprised her with a dinner at the Eiffel Tower in France for her birthday. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Bill and her sister Donna Mae Hansen. She is survived by her three daughters, Connie Samiano (Mel), Pam Armstrong, Pattie Banker (Keith), two sons, Tim (Gisele) and Terry, four grandsons, Justin, Tommy, Scott, and Elliott, three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Kaya, and Keegan, and two step-grandchildren, Cody and Carla, and one step-great granddaughter, Chloe. Visitation will be held at Lietz-Fraze Chapel on Thursday, May 23rd from 6 to 8 PM, with a Rosary to be said at 7 PM. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM on Friday, May 24th at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, officiated by Father Chauncey Winkler. Burial will follow services at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens. Thoughts and condolences can be submitted to Shirley's family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com . Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.