Violet Athens O'Connor passed away peacefully at Calvary Hospital on November 26, 2023, less than one month shy of her 92nd birthday. She was born on December 23, 1931, to Greek immigrant parents Nick & Jean Athens, and was the middle child between doting big sister Mary and rascally baby brother Artie.

Tragically widowed at the age of 36, Vi devoted her life as a single mother to her only child and daughter, Jeanne, and then her treasured and adored granddaughters Ally and Annie Bows. She lived the rest of her life in the Greek extended family house filled with much love and happiness in her beloved Bay Ridge neighborhood. She never remarried, saying "I will never find another to replace my Jimmie."

"Mrs. O'Connor" as she was known in the school community, was an integral part of the fabric of Public School 102 for over 30 years until her retirement. She was an educational assistant in the Blind & Visually Handicapped program for her entire career. Vi was revered throughout the system as not only an educator, but as a parent first, PTA Board member, advocate for the children, and treasured co-worker.

Vi's most famous moniker, however, was, of course, the Candy & Sweets Queen. Her abiding love for all things chocolate, and insistence on treats for all visiting "children" led to the creation of "Auntie Vi's Candy Store" in her dining room. No one left the house without being encouraged to shop and leave with a baggie of sweet treats.

She started every day with the delivery of the Daily News (it had better be there, or else!), a McDonald's Sausage McGriddle laden with maple syrup, sandwiches were always on Pepperidge Farm very thin bread, Land O'Lakes white American cheese, tuna salad, always German potato salad, (she mixed the tuna in the potato salad) were always part of the daily diet,  Sudoku, Jeopardy at 7, dinner of angel hair with garlic & oil or yemista, lemon or orange loaf cake or "something interesting" but nothing with fruit and bed at midnight. Vi was a creature of the most fun and enduring habits.

Violet O'Connor was a treasure to all who knew her, even those who only met her for the first time, and she will be missed beyond words. She is survived by her only child and daughter Jeanne Maass and son-in-law William, and her two beloved grand-daughters: newly married Alexandra McFarland (Steven) and Adrianne Maass. Violet is survived by her only surviving in-law, Cathy Banahan, who adored her brother's wife from the first day. Aunt Vi is also survived by her nephews Lee Liatsis (Eileen), Nick Liatsis (Norma) and John Liatsis (Nancy) and dozens of the most loving and adored nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, both on the big fat Greek side and the O'Connor side who all loved her immeasurably.

Kali Nixta and Sagapo to our beloved Mom, Yiayia, Auntie, Friend… you are most surely in Jesus' arms.


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Visitation

Wednesday  (11/29)
2 - 4 PM  and  7 - 9 PM

Clavin Funeral Home
7722 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11209
Complimentary Valet Parking Available

Funeral Service

Thursday (11/30)
11 AM

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church
8401 Ridge Boulevard
Brooklyn, New York 11209

Cemetery

Long Island National Cemetery
2040 Wellwood Avenue
Farmingdale, New York 11735