Marilyn Lee House O'Connor

Marilyn Lee House O’Connor, 89, of Green Cove Springs, Florida, died suddenly and unexpectedly with family by her side, on November 19, 2023 at HCA Florida West Marion Hospital in Ocala, Florida.  Marilyn was born on November 14, 1934 in Ogdensburg, NY, the daughter of Harold and Theresa House.

Marilyn graduated from Unadilla High School in 1952 and continued her education at SUNY Albany with a dual major in History and English, graduating in 1956 with her teaching certification.  She married Thomas P. O’Connor on August 18,1956 at St. Cecilia's Church in Warrensburg, NY and embarked on her career as an English teacher at Warrensburg Central School.  

She paused her teaching career upon the birth of her first child and she and Tom moved throughout the United States, residing in nine different towns before returning to Warrensburg in 1973.  She stayed home raising her five children until the last one reached school age before she updated her teaching degree and resumed teaching at Warrensburg Central School as a Social Studies teacher, specializing in global studies.

Marilyn was the consummate student – with a love for reading and art and a passion for travel.  She traveled throughout the world and was eager to extend the knowledge of other cultures to her students.  She filled her classroom with pictures and mementos from her travels and the myriad of cultures she experienced.  After her retirement, Marilyn continued to travel – snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, soaking in the lavender fields of Provence, France, experiencing the marvel of Machu Pichu, being accosted by gypsies in a Hungarian church, appreciating the wonders of Italy’s art and architecture, and witnessing the diversity of wildlife in the Galapagos Islands.  She traveled throughout the United States and the world with her sister Kay, her children, and many of her friends.  Marilyn even traveled on her own – joining a tour group and making new friends.  Marilyn loved to recount stories of her travels to others, hoping to incite in them the same desire for travel she enjoyed.  Her exposure to different parts of the world and a vast number of cultures gave her a deep sense of appreciation for conservancy efforts and she was a staunch advocate of our national parks, public libraries, and wildlife preservation.  

Marilyn was predeceased by her husband Thomas and her sister Kathleen Leonard as well as two grandchildren, Peter and Paul O’Connor. She is survived by her children: Stephen J. O’Connor (Alice) of Fleming Island, FL,  Mark E. O’Connor of North Grafton, MA, Jane K. Jollota (Dan) of Green Cove Springs, FL, Daniel S. O'Connor of Longmont, CO, John M. O’Connor of Austin TX.  She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Sean, Daniel, Eli, John (Molly), Kathryn, and Thomas O'Connor, and Sean (Emily) and Erin Jollota (Christopher Kegley), and her beloved great-grandchild Luke Jollota.

Per Marilyn's wishes, her services will be private.  In lieu of flowers, Marilyn asked that any donations be made to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org  

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