Elizabeth O'Connor

Elizabeth O'Connor (née Bullimore), 97, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 22, 2025, under the compassionate care of Kendal at Oberlin, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Betty spent the last 15 years of her life living at Kendal, with close friends, fellow bird lovers, and devoted bridge partners. 

Betty is survived by her children, Christine (John) Krystowski and Kathryn O'Connor and grandchildren, J.C. Krystowski, Kara Krystowski and Kristen Krystowski.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Terry O'Connor in 2004; parents, Leonard and Helen Bullimore and sisters, Joan O'Neil and Ann Revell.

Betty was born December 12, 1927 in Grantham, England, then moved to Peterborough, England. After World War II, she worked as an administrative assistant at Baker Perkins where she met her future husband Terry O'Connor.  They both moved to Canada in 1953, living in Edmonton, Alberta, and Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario.  Betty and Terry immigrated to the United States first settling in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before moving to Elyria, Ohio, in 1962. In 2009, she moved to Kendal at Oberlin. In 1996, Betty and her daughters, Christine and Kathryn, proudly became U.S. citizens in a ceremony at the Cleveland Courthouse. Betty was a devoted member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Elyria. She served as chairwoman of the Mayflower Guild and was an active member of both First Church Women and the Altar Guild. She delivered sermon tapes and flowers to homebound neighbors and nursing home residents. She also taught Sunday school and volunteered with the church's weekly food pantry. While living in Elyria she loved playing bridge with her friends, jokingly referred to as the O.L.B.C. (Old Lady Bridge Club). They even had sweatshirts printed with the name when they were all about 35 years old. 1 Betty spent many years employed in Admitting and Medical Records at Elyria Memorial Hospital. In addition to work, she loved visiting her family in England, including her parents, sisters, nieces, and nephews, as well as traveling to Vancouver, Canada, to see her husband's family. At Kendal, Betty was an active volunteer, assisting residents with wheelchair needs, reading to children at the Oberlin Library, and helping at Firelands Association for the Visual Arts. She also supported Oberlin City Schools and organized the Kendal Solo Dining Club dinners. Always eager to lend a hand, she took care of plants throughout the building. Betty especially cherished playing bridge and Mexican Train with her dear friends. Even with her busy schedule, she always found time for a good laugh or a visit to her favorite local gaggle of geese.

A celebration of life will be Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Kendal at Oberlin, 600 Kendal Drive, Oberlin.   Please join us in celebrating an amazing woman and a life well-lived.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kendal at Oberlin or First Congregational United Church of Christ, Elyria, Ohio.

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