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Theresa C. O’Connor

Theresa C. O’Connor, 73, passed away on Sept. 22 with her family by her side after a courageous battle with cancer. Theresa was born to parents, Eleanor Cappello and John Cappello on Dec. 27, 1948 in Waterbury. She graduated from Waterbury Catholic High School in 1966 and put herself through college earning a Bachelor’s, Master’s and sixth year certificate in education from Central Connecticut State University.

Theresa was married to Rich O’Connor in 1976 and they lived together in Southington for 40 years. Theresa and Rich retired in 2011 and fulfilled a lifelong dream to live at the beach when they moved to Westbrook in 2016.

Theresa is survived by her husband, Rich O’Connor of Westbrook; her mother Eleanor Cappello of Old Saybrook; her oldest son Jon O’Connor of Boston; son Ryan O’Connor of Middletown; and daughter Kathryn and husband Garrett Pollard of Madison. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Eleanor (Nora) O’Connor and Henry O’Connor. Theresa will also be remembered by her loving brother and two sisters, John Cappello of Boston; Marie Mitchell of Greenwich; Patricia DeAngelis of Clinton; and many nieces and nephews. Theresa was predeceased by her loving father, John Cappello of Waterbury.

Theresa worked as an elementary school teacher and special education teacher for 37 years. In her early years she taught at various inner-city schools helping many disadvantaged children in Waterbury. During that time, she was a devoted mother of three, and founded SAVE, a grassroots organization to advocate for quality education in Southington. Theresa was elected to the Southington Library Board and later became Chairman; she was dedicated to improving the library. While teaching at Southington High School, Theresa volunteered to be the yearbook advisor for many years.

Theresa loved her family, her loving husband Rich and her three children, Jon, Ryan, and Kathryn more than anything. She cherished spending time with her two grandchildren Nora and Henry. Theresa was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and active community member. She was selfless, caring, and always put others before herself. Theresa was passionate about travel and planned many trips to Europe and beautiful destinations in the U.S. She loved life at the beach, whether a walk, spending time out on the sandbar, enjoying sunsets, or just watching the waves crash in on a stormy day. She was an excellent cook, loved to try new recipes and recognized the importance of our family always sharing dinner together.

During the last two years Theresa fought a tireless battle with stage 4 cancer, always maintaining a positive attitude throughout her many treatments without ever a complaint. She never let cancer be her life. Theresa trusted her doctors and did everything they asked of her. Throughout her life and all of the challenging days of cancer, she maintained an optimistic perspective, a great disposition and a smile on her face.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Road, Madison. The burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, in Cypress Cemetery, 321 Essex Road, Westbrook. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Middlesex Health Cancer Center, c/o Office of Philanthropy, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457 and The Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries, SSKP, P.O. Box 804, Essex, CT 06426. www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com.