Darline O'Connor

Darline Anita O’Connor of Green Bay entered eternal life Sunday, December 1, 2024 just eight days short of her 101 birthday on December 9th.

Darline was born in Sheboygan, WI, to Gladys and Darrell Hocking. She loved spending summers on her Grandma Hocking’s farm in Readstown, WI. Her family moved to Green Bay where they ran the Greyhound Bus station for many years. She graduated from East High School, Class of 1942. A young man from school by the name of Jim O’Connor called her to go for a sleigh ride one snowy night. Jump ahead a few years and they married, had five children and 66 wonderful years together until his death in 2010.

Darline’s love of knowledge, beauty, attention to detail, travel, and good food are just some of the gifts she gave her children. When they all left the house, Darline had the ambition to return to college and graduated summa cum laude from UWGB. She was a terrific cook and a master knitter. Over the years, Darline donated countless baby and toddler sweaters, caps, and booties to charities and hospitals for unwed mothers up until she was 97, when arthritis got the best of her fingers. She had excellent taste in fashion. She loved to shop and then return home and sew the outfits she saw in order to save money. In later years, she had a passion for getting dressed up and supporting casino establishments both locally and on their travels. She also loved all kinds of sports, especially the Brewers and Packers. 

Darline is survived by her sons, Timothy and Danny (Denise); her daughter, Erin; her son-in-law, John Wenk; eight grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim (Patrick James O’Connor I), her oldest son, Patrick, and her oldest daughter, Colleen (Wenk).

Darline will be remembered at the 12:05 Mass on Wednesday, December 11th, at St. Willebrord Parish, 209 S. Adams St., Green Bay. You are welcomed and encouraged to attend.