Mary Kathryn "Mickey" O'Connell

Mary Kathryn “Mickey” O’Connell, 90, a lifelong resident of Chicago, always maintained a strong sense of adventure right up to the end of her life on the closing minutes of September 14th.

Mickey, a loving sister, devoted aunt and grand-aunt and a loyal friend, was all in on a driving trip to New York City for Easter this year with her two nieces, Susan and Margaret, and grand-niece, Kathryn, where they ate at Manhattan’s finest restaurants, visited the 9-11 Memorial, took a three-hour boat trip around the five boroughs and got to worship at Padre Pio Shrine when attending Easter Mass at the St. John the Baptist Church.

Up in to her mid-80s, Mickey and her friends would spend several weeks in Italy where they would rent an apartment and hire a driver to get around. Mickey was partial to Florence.

While Mickey gave up driving when she moved into the city, she was comfortable either walking or using the train, bus or L. She was glad when former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich gave senior citizens free rides on public transportation.

Mickey enjoyed being part of her book and bridge clubs, where she could share conversation, laughter and friendship. As part of Mickey’s caring nature that came so naturally, she volunteered as a reading tutor and knit caps for underprivileged children.

She was the aunt and godmother everyone wished they had, taking her three nieces to get their ears pierced and getting a behind-the-scenes tour of an ABC 7 Chicago newscast and the Chicago Board of Trade for her nephew. Mickey always was well-dressed and her goddaughter, Terri Porter, appreciated getting Mickey’s hand-me-downs.

“She was the definition of just such a fine time,” recalled Jack Farrow, a grand-nephew. “Always great conversation, awesome stories, a listener who genuinely cared. She is someone who can’t be replaced.”

Mickey was born on November 15, 1935, and grew up on Chicago’s South Side in the Brainard neighborhood. The youngest of Jim and Abeline O’Connell’s three children who all shared a birthday on the 15 th of the month, Mickey’s formative years were defined by the Great Depression and World War II.

She attended St. Margaret of Scotland School and Longwood Academy. Mickey got a job as a bookkeeper at Mitsui, a Japanese import/export company, where she spent 40 years before retiring.

Mickey remembered Mitsui as a wonderful place to work. She was treated like family and affectionally referred to by the Japanese higher-ups at Mitsui as “Mickey-San.” As a reward for Mickey’s loyalty and dedicated service, Mitsui took her to Japan several times. To this day, Mickey still would a receive a Christmas card from her manager at Mitsui.

Mickey had fond memories of living at Marina City where she enjoyed a strong sense of community. Mickey remembers spending Sundays going to Mass at Holy Name Cathedral and then gathering with friends at former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lattner’s bar at Marina City to watch football games. In Mickey’s case, it was to socialize.

She later lived in the 1300 block of Lake Shore Drive, which became a popular gathering spot for her two brothers, five nephews and nieces and assorted friends to watch the Chicago Air and Water Show from the building’s rooftop. That ended when acting on the advice of her oldest brother, Jim, Mickey bought a condo in the South Loop. However, Mickey took advantage of the condo’s party to host holiday gatherings.

Mickey particularly enjoyed live theatre, whether it was a production of Hamilton at the CIBC Theatre downtown or one of her grand-nieces school plays at Immaculate Conception Grade School, Riverside-Brookfield High School or Glenbard East High School.

She enjoyed Chicago’s dining scene and frequented restaurants like Topo Gigio, Rosebud Taylor Street, Volare, La Scarola, Italian Village and Gene and Georgetti’s to name a few.

Mickey had strict rules on how her Manhattan should be made and wine poured. A major faux pas in Mickey’s eyes was the waiter clearing the plates before everyone was done eating.

When the wife of her brother, Jim, died, Mickey stepped in and became a presence in the lives of his five children. Family and her Roman Catholic faith were important to Mickey and she treasured the time and the special place each niece, nephew, grand-niece and grand-nephew held in her heart.

She also had friendships that lasted a lifetime, especially those with Delores Hickey, Marilyn Grace and Mary Beth Doyle. Mickey also is reunited in heaven with the late Marilyn Byrnes and Agnes Hale, another pair of longtime close friends.

Mickey was the beloved sister of the late James P. (the late Peggy) and the late Daniel O’Connell; the aunt to Jim (Mary Ann) O’Connell, Ellen (Mike) Farrow, Susan (Bob) Chicoine, Margaret (Doug) Glenzinski and Tom (Laura) O’Connell; and a proud grand aunt to Jack, Allison, Maggie, Nicole and Shannon Farrow; Kathryn Chicoine; Abby, Thomas and Cleo Glenzinski; and Finn and Grace O’Connell.

Interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, was private.

A memorial Mass for Mickey will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 17th, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State Street, Chicago, with the Very Rev. Gregory Sakowicz officiating. A lunch will follow.

Parking is available on lower level one or two at 14 W. Superior Street (between the Dearborn and State) garage under One Chicago Square. If the gate is not open, please bring the ticket to validate parking in the vestibule of the cathedral at Holy Name.

Memorial donations in honor of Mickey would be appreciated to:

Misericordia Home

6300 N. Ridge Avenue

Chicago, IL 60660

or

Adrian Dominican Sisters

Office of Donor Relations

1257 E. Siena Heights Drive

Adrian, MI 49221