Patricia M. O'Connor

"Thorndike, Patricia M. (Santucci) O'Connor, 84, of Main St, died peacefully on Monday, March 9. Born in Palmer, February 23, 1931, she was the daughter of Joseph and Lillian (Messier) Santucci and was a lifelong resident. She was a communicant of the former St. Mary's Church and now of St. Thomas Church, both in which she served as a lay reader. She founded and was the past president of the Belles of St. Mary's Church. She worked for 35 years at Thorndike Mills before retiring. Her creativity and culinary expertise was the center of her personal life. She made and gave as gifts many handmade quilts. She was also known as a wonderful cook and baker. She had a green thumb and spent many hours in her beautiful gardens. She will be deeply missed by her husband of 64 years, Michael J. O'Connor, along with her 3 children Rick and his wife CJ of Naples, FL, Michael J., Jr. and his wife Claudia of Yarmouthport, and Kerry Ann Kielbasa and her husband Mark of Westfield. She also leaves her 5 precious grandchildren, George, Tricia and Jonathan O'Connor, and Scott and Jennifer Kielbasa and 6 great grandchildren. Additionally, her 5 siblings, Joseph Santucci of Palmer, Paul Santucci of Brimfield, Jeannette Allen of Thorndike, and Lorraine Wilga and Michael Santucci, both of FL survive her. Calling hours will be Thursday, March 12 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home, 1475 N. Main St. A Funeral Mass will be Friday at 11:30 at St. Thomas Church (please meet directly at church) followed by burial in Mass. Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. For those wishing, please make donations in her memory to St. Thomas/St. Mary's Scholarship Fund, 1076 Thorndike St, Palmer, 01069. "