WESTFIELD: Barbara A. (Hickson) O’Connor, 93, of Westfield passed away at her home on April 8, 2021 surrounded by her family and friends. She was born in Holyoke and grew up in Springfield, the daughter of the late John and Anna (Sullivan) Hickson.
After graduation from Sacred Heart High School in Springfield in 1945, Barbara attended Westfield Teacher’s College in Westfield, MA where she took an active role organizing events for her classmates from her college days to to the present. She graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and was proud to be voted by her classmates as “Best Dressed” and “Most likely to Succeed.”
She had a profound passion for the teaching profession and began her career at Agawam Junior High School before enjoying a long and distinguished career working for the Westfield Public Schools for over 30 years. Barbara was often identified as a Master Teacher by her colleagues for her devoted attention to the social and emotional welfare of all students in addition to their academic successes. She had a special affection and was recognized for her work with Team 84. She spent countless hours running Memorial Day Programs as the longtime Director of the Drama Club at South Middle School. After retiring from teaching in 1991, she immediately began spending precious time with her greatest loves – her grandchildren and eventually her great grandchildren. She treated each as special and unique and made time for all of them.
Above all else, Barbara never wavered on her devotion, support, and great love for her family and friends. Together with her husband, Joe, they raised four children, led by example, and provided every opportunity for them to grow into productive adults. She never missed attending their sporting events, recitals, and school activities. She could always be counted on to bring the thermos of lemonade and bag of snacks. Her dedication and service to the community was ever present, as was her profound faith. She was a longtime communicant of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Westfield, where she was a member of the Rosary Sodality for many years.
Barbara was pre-deceased in 1981 by her loving husband of thirty years, Joseph O’Connor, her brother, Jack Hickson in 1986, her sister, Marian (Hickson) Megazzini in 2017, and her daughter-in-law, Colleen (Fallon) O’Connor in 1999.
Barbara will forever be remembered as the most loving mother to her children: Dennis O’Connor, Patricia (Rick) LeClair, Kevin (Joyce) O’Connor, and Kathleen (James) Sitler all of Westfield. Barbara loved spending time with her sisters, Joan Schoolcraft and Katherine Lancour both of Feeding Hills and enjoyed reminiscing with them during their weekly visits. Their last trip to Ogunquit, ME in 2019 with their daughters is a cherished memory. She also leaves Karen Hand of Darien, CT and her in-laws, Dido (Loretta) and Jimmy (Marge) O’Connor, Mary (O’Connor) Bates and Gail Midgley all of Westfield.
She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Jonathan O’Connor of Westfield, Jason (Heather) O’Connor of Brunswick, GA, Meredith (John) Courtney of South Hadley, RJ LeClair of Vernon, CT, Christopher (Jess) LeClair of Chicopee, Allison Sitler of Feeding Hills, Joseph Sitler of Westfield; Grace Hand of Darien, CT.
In addition, she will be missed by her grandchildren, Cynthia (Scott) Theroux, Richard Palazzi and Christina Palazzi, all of West Springfield, Robert (Diane) Palazzi of Chatham, NJ, and Kaine Vazquez and Bri Diaz of Brunswick, GA.
Barbara leaves her great-grandchildren, Rieghan, JJ, Madison, Jake, and Luke O’Connor, Daniel LeClair, Liam, Ella, and Brenna Courtney.
She also leaves her great-grandchildren, Drayke Palazzi, Robbie Del Negro, Corrie and Vinnie Couture, Danny Theroux, Bobby, Izzy, and Becky Palazzi and Kalvin Vazquez.
Barbara loved her nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors and always remembered each with a card for every birthday or holiday. It was that thoughtfulness that will be fondly remembered by so many. She was so very kind and inclusive to everyone she met, often going out of her way to help others in need.
Barbara loved attending family events-the infamous Hickson Family Christmas parties, the O’Connor Open golf reunion, family weddings, and Sunday and Holiday celebrations with her children and grandchildren. She loved music and dancing and could always be found on the dance floor when “We Are Family” was playing. She organized family events for many years and was the Keeper of family contacts. She embraced her Irish Heritage and proudly celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, with her wearin’ of her green, listening to Irish music and preparing corned beef and cabbage dinners. She enjoyed Saturday nights playing cards with relatives, annual summer trips to Cape Cod, cruises to Bermuda and the Bahamas, and kissing the Blarney Stone on her trip to Ireland.
Barbara’s family would like to thank her longtime caregiver, Anna Fedora, for all of her loving care and companionship these past five years. Thank you to the many family members and friends who visited, called, sent their love, or offered their professional assistance over these past several days.
Calling hours for Barbara will be Tuesday, April 13, 2021 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Firtion Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. A funeral Mass will be celebrated for Barbara on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 beginning at 11:00 AM, at the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Southampton Road, Westfield. All are welcome and Covid precautions are in place at each location.
Donations can be made in Barbara’s honor to the Joseph J. and Barbara A. O’Connor Memorial Scholarship Fund, Citizen’s Scholarship Fund, PO Box 382, Westfield, MA 01086 OR Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church Parish Development Fund, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA 01085. www.firtionadams.com
