Elaine Watson O'Connor

Elaine Watson O'Connor, 85, of Parsons, passed away at 7:50 a.m., Sunday, February 1, 2015 at Woodridge Estates in Parsons. She was born January 9, 1930 in Parsons, Kansas to John Thomas and Margaret Catherine (Murphy) Patten. As a young girl, she grew up and attended school in Parsons where she was a 1947 graduate of Parsons High School. She then attended college for two years in Pittsburg. While attending school, she worked at the telephone company in Parsons and Pittsburg. On July 21, 1951, she and John W. "Jack" Watson, also of Parsons, were married. Following marriage, they lived in Denver, Colorado. He preceded her in death on November 30, 1968. In 1971, Elaine returned to Parsons where she worked as a bookkeeper for ten years at the Commercial Bank. On September 2, 1995, she and Thomas Joseph "Tom" O'Connor were married. Elaine was a longtime member of the former St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parsons, now St. Patrick's, and its Daughters of Isabella. She especially enjoyed her time volunteering at St. Vincent DePaul Society and, in earlier years, bowling. Survivors include: Husband – Tom O'Connor of the home Two sons - Michael Joseph Watson and his wife, Mary Bartlesville, OK James Robert Watson and his wife, Molly Albuquerque, NM Four daughters - Marianne Keeler and her husband, Brent Centennial, CO Catherine Jean Lunday and her partner through life, Albert Nelson Stark, KS Patricia Woodworth and her husband, Steve Tulsa, OK Francie Pollom and her husband, Andy Overland Park, KS One stepson - Mike O'Connor Parsons, KS One stepdaughter - Kristen Bradbury Parsons, KS Ten Grandchildren – Susan Keeler, Michele Watson Louks and her husband, Brian; Joseph Woodworth, Cindy Keeler, John Woodworth, Cara Lunday Hill and her husband, Shane; John Watson and his wife, Traci; Weston Pollom, Allison Woodworth and Zach Pollom Four Great-Grandchildren – Connor Louks, Eva Watson, Katelyn Louks and Emma Watson One sister - Therese Flynn Parsons, KS. In addition to her first husband, she was preceded in death by one son, William Thomas Watson; and one sister, Margaret Jean "Peggy" Beeson. The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 7, 2015 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. The rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m., Friday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends at 7:00 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home. Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver. Elaine requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to St. Patrick's School Endowment Fund or masses be said in her name. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elaine Watson O'Connor, please visit our flower store.