Barbara E. (Galass) O'Connor

Barbara E. O’Connor

Age 86 of Joliet, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at her home with her children by her side.

Born March 25, 1935 in Joliet, Barbara was a daughter of Hubert and Marie (Matteson) Galass. She was raised and educated in Joliet and graduated from Joliet Township Central High School with the class of 1953. Following graduation, Barbara worked at Barrett’s Hardware Store where she met the love of her life, Richard “Doc” O’Connor and on June 4, 1955 they were happily married at The Cathedral of St. Raymond. Together Barbara and Doc made a home and raised their family in Joliet. She was a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Crest Hill. Barbara was always active in her children’s various activities and as grandkids came along, she and Doc were always in attendance at their various sporting events. Barbara was an avid Chicago Cubs, Bulls and Blackhawks fan and will be remembered for her excellent cooking and baking skills, along with her beautiful gardens and pristine yard. Barbara will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her children: Timothy (Mary) O’Connor and Kathy (Bob) Hotuyec; grandchildren: Ryan (fiancé Maly) O’Connor, Erik O’Connor, Kelly (fiancé Marquese) O’Connor, Jenny (Nick) Hill and Matt (fiancé’ Katy) Hotuyec; great-grandchildren: Cooper, Walker and Sullivan Hill and Ethan Chou, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years: Richard who passed in 2018; parents: Hubert and Marie and sister: Lorraine (Robert) Cambic.

Family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. until time of closing prayers beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. The funeral will then process together to St. Ambrose Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow and Barbara will be laid to rest with her husband Richard at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Romeoville.

For those attending services, masks are required.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Barbara’s nurse: Margie and her two amazing caregivers: Gizzel and Marie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made as gifts in Barbara’s memory to either St. Ambrose Catholic Church or to Lightways Hospice.