Sylvia Ann O'Connor

Longtime Yreka resident Sylvia Ann O’Connor passed away on March 25, 2020 into the loving arms of our Lord. She passed after a 1 ½ year courageous battle with lung cancer. She died at home surrounded by family. She was 79 years old. Sylvia was born on January 9, 1941 at Providence Hospital in Oakland to Ernest and Margaret Silva. She grew up in Hayward and attended catholic school at All Saints. She graduated high school at Bishop O’Dowd in 1958. Sylvia married the love of her life, Robert Leon O’Connor on April 23, 1960. They were married for 33 years until his passing in 1993. They were true partners in life showing love and respect for one another. Sylvia met Gary Schmidt in 1994 and they were long term companions for 20+ years until his passing in 2016. Sylvia worked many trades, including managing convalescent homes, billing in medical doctor’s offices and co-owner of O’Connor Upholstery and Drapery. Sylvia was best known for being a talented seamstress and her charity work. She provided knitted lap blankets through warm up Siskiyou County, handmade rosaries which were distributed in the mission field, crafting for a cause, knitted knockers, pillowcases for kids in hospitals, dresses for girls in Africa, days for girls, personal care packages for the homeless, 100+ soap bags and pouches for Operation Christmas Child boxes for several years and many, many hats that were distributed at Christmas in the streets through Tailgaters. She also organized and ran the community Christmas dinner at the Grange for two years. If there was a need, Sylvia tried her best to accomplish and embellish her way through it as only she could do! She loved giving back. Sylvia was a devoted member of the Yreka United Methodist Church. She loved her church family, and volunteered and ran many activities throughout the years. If something needed to be organized and done, she was the woman to make it happen. Sylvia will be dearly missed by her family. She was our cornerstone. Sylvia is survived by her children, Bob O’Connor (fiance’ Kathy) and Chris Bowers (Rick). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michael, Sean and Caitlyn O’Connor, Tanya English (Josh) and Kristin Langford (Andy), and great grandchildren Emma and Cole English. Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Robert O’Connor and long term companion Gary Schmidt. Services will be held at a later date when it is safe to congregate. Memorial contributions may be made to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097 or the American Lung Association.

Sylvia Ann O'Connor

January 9, 1941 - March 25, 2020