Melissa Joan O'Connor, Enjoyed Spending Time With Her Granddaughters

Missy was formerly of Avon Lake, Ohio; beloved wife of Kevin O’Connor; loving mother of Sean (friend Kerri Ruckman) O’Connor and Elizabeth (Michael) Oliver; cherished daughter of Elizabeth Joan (nee Nyerges) and Dale Edward Barnard (both deceased); dear sister of Kurt W. Barnard of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Myles (Mary) Barnard of Wixom, Michigan and niece Mollie (Tony) Griffore of Milford, Michigan. Grandmother of Candice Oliver, Alana Oliver, Ian Oliver, Erin O’Connor, Evalyn O’Connor, and step-granddaughter Elizabeth Marrier.

Other than her parents Missy was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents, Charles (Dorothy) Barnard and William (Elinor) Nyerges.

Missy received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Cleveland State University. She previously received her LPN from the former St. Joseph School of Nursing in Lorain, Ohio. She graduated from Avon Lake High School in 1971.

Missy worked for several years as an LPN for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities at a residential facility, Applecreek Developmental Center. She later worked as an LPN and later as a facility Social Worker in Long Term Care. She specifically enjoyed her time with Palmcrest Bellaire in Cleveland, Avon Oaks Nursing Home of Avon, St. Augustine Skilled Nursing Facility of Cleveland, and A. M. McGregor Home in East Cleveland.

After retirement Missy spent countless hours communicating with friends on Facebook. She also enjoyed her time spent with her granddaughters. Prior to her death, she was also actively involved in the daytime care of her two-year-old grandson, Ian.

Missy will be remembered as a lover of animals, particularly dogs and wild newborn deer. Her favorites pets dogs Amadeus, & Carmen (both deceased), and surviving Chili.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and aides at VCU Health for their kind and supportive care.

Per her request, Missy was able to donate her corneas and other bodily tissues for transplant to LifeNet Health of Virginia.

Those wishing to donate in her memory are invited to support one of her favorite nonprofit organizations: Friendship APL, 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035. https://friendshipapl.org/donate

Arrangements are by Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain. For expressions of sympathy and further information please see, Reidyfuneral.com.