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Sara K. (Sweeney) O’Connor
Sara K. (Sweeney) O’Connor, 80, of Scott Hill Road,
Ipswich, died peacefully in her home Friday, December 3, 2021, surrounded
by her family.
Born in Lynn on November 3, 1941, the daughter of
the late Philip W. Sweeney, Sr. and Cyrenne (Monahan) Sweeney, Sara was
raised in Lynn and was a graduating member of the Lynn English High School
Class of 1959. She continued her education at Michigan State University
where she received her degree in Business Administration. She relocated
back to Massachusetts in 1976 where she made Ipswich her home for the past
46-years. Sara was employed with
Eastern Bank for nearly 30-years, predominantly in the North Beverly and
Newburyport branch locations as an officer of the bank. She was certified
by the American Institute for Banking in personnel administration and
remained an active member throughout her career, until her retirement in
2006.
Sara was a twenty-five-year member and chair of the
Ipswich Housing Authority where she advocated for the needs of the elderly
and families seeking affordable and quality living options. Sara’s deep
civic involvement reflected her unwavering commitment and service to the
community in which she lived as a member of the Fair Housing Committee;
Council on Aging; Co-Chairperson of the Adopt-A-Grandparent Program;
Social Justice & Action Committee at LaSalette Shrine; and Treasurer of
IHS Football Boosters Club. She was also very active at town meetings and
a prolific writer of letters to the editors of the various local
newspapers.
Sara’s hobbies and interests included gardening;
baking for family and friends; running and bicycling; and late afternoon
swims and early sunset picnics at Crane Beach with her five children. She
was also a diehard Red Sox fan who never wanted to miss a game and knew
all the stats. She was a longtime communicant of Our Lady of Hope Church
where for several years she taught religious education and served on
several committees serving those in need.
Sara is survived by two sons, Mark P. O’Connor and
his wife Priscilla of San Antonio, TX; Brian W. O’Connor and his wife
Jennifer Freeman-O’Connor of Barrington, RI; three daughters, Bethlee S.
McLaughlin of Palm Harbor, FL; Jessica E. Sadoway and her husband Stephen
of Ipswich; Kerry Stagliano and her husband Marcus of Tarpon Springs, FL;
twelve grandchildren, Andrea Garcia; Benjamin, Christopher and Daniel
O’Connor; Ethan and Zachary O’Connor; Owen McLaughlin; Emily, Abigail and
Jacob Sadoway; and Sara and Ian
Stagliano; a sister, Marilyn Waldrip of Newburyport; brother, John Sweeney
of Beverly; and many nephews and nieces. She was the sister of the late
Philip W. Sweeney, Jr. formerly of Marblehead, and James Sweeney formerly
of Lynn.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, December 7
at 9 am in Our Lady of Hope Church, 1 Pineswamp Road, Ipswich followed by
interment in the New Highland Cemetery, Ipswich. Family and friends
wearing facial masks are cordially welcomed. Visiting hours will be Monday
4 to 7 pm in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. In
lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her name may be made to Beth
Israel Lahey Health at Home Hospice at
Support Us - Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home (bilhathome.org)
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