ANDOVER, Mass., and DOVER-FOXCROFT – Gwendolyn Marie (Jansson) O’Connor passed away peacefully Sept. 14, 2011, surrounded by family and friends at home in Andover, Mass., where Gwen resided for the past six years. Gwen began sharing love on the first day of spring, March 21, 1928, in Bangor, and spent her entire life helping the world become a more beautiful place to live.
She graduated from John Bapst High School and considered becoming a nun before marrying, settling in Dover-Foxcroft, and giving life to seven children. Amazingly while raising her considerable brood, Gwen also found time and energy to be an active member of her church and local government, teaching CCD classes at St. Thomas Catholic Church and serving as chairwoman of Piscataquis County Democratic Committee for several years. Motivated only by her sense of responsibility to help people, Gwen worked tirelessly for causes, in which she believed, and in so doing, touched the lives of many in a profoundly positive way. Her natural ability to care deeply for others extended beyond her immediate family to an entire community. Her doors were never locked; her heart was always open. Gwen’s spirit lives on in the hearts and souls of her children and everyone whose lives she touched.
Gwen was predeceased by former spouse, Donald T. O’Connor. She is survived by daughter, Mary O’Connor of Bangor; daughter, Annie and husband, Tom McNamara, of Winchester, Mass.; son, Christopher of Durham, N.C.; son, Dennis of Clearwater Beach, Fla.; daughter, Kathy O’Connor and granddaughter, Kavvanah O’Connor, of Andover, Mass.; daughter, Carol and husband, John Lovett, of Winchester, Mass.; son, Kevin of New Orleans; grandsons, Tommy, Connor and Gavin McNamara of Winchester, Mass., and Evan Worthing of Dover-Foxcroft; granddaughter, Arial Worthing of Dover-Foxcroft; great-grandson, Kaleb Briggs of Dover-Foxcroft; great-granddaughter, Emma Gwendolyn Crossman of Dover-Foxcroft; sister-in-law, Kay O’Connor of Hanson, Mass.; many nieces and nephews. The family extends their gratitude to friends and caregivers, Grace Bouvier and Mary Lou Sims, for the love they shared with Gwen during the past few years.
A private interment will be held at Pinegrove Cemetery, Bangor. A celebration of Gwen’s life is being planned to take place in the spring in Kennebunkport. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gwen’s memory may be made to Visiting Nurse Hospice, VNA of Middlesex-East, Development Office, 607 North Ave., Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.