Josephine Mary O'Connor

   Cause of her death was pancreatic cancer.

  General Notes:

personal recollections of Jean Selig O'Connor and sent to me via postal mail


obit
It is with great sadness that the family of Josephine Mary Skinner, 77 of Lunenburg announces her passing on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at the Fishermen's Memorial Hospital, Lunenburg
Born in Lunenburg on April 25, 1940, Josephine was the daughter of the late Michael Joseph (Sr.) and Jean (Selig) O'Connor.
After graduating from the Lunenburg Academy, Josephine began a lifelong career of teaching, which included 25 years as a preschool teacher, 13 at The Lunenburg Co-op Nursery School and 12 in her home with Melody Lane Nursery School. Music and teaching were co-mingled passions of Josephine over the years. She was deeply involved with Music For Young Children for 32 years, and taught privately - Piano, Organ, Theory and Voice - for over 52 years in Skinner's Studio.
Josephine actively searched for ways to share her deep love of music and to mentor others so they might share this joy. She began sharing her talents as a substitute organist at Central United Church and St John's Anglican Church before going on to further her studies at the Cathedral in Halifax under Fred Graham, then at Acadia University under the leadership of Gordon Callon and Clarence Ledbetter, These studies equipped her with the skills required to be Organist and Music Director at St John's Anglican Church until 1998 and continuing in the same role at Trinity United Church in Mahone Bay, where she served faithfully for over 20 years.
Mentoring and supporting children in developing their love and joy of music inspired Josephine to become actively involved in the Lunenburg Music Festival, serving as president from 1997-2006, treasurer from 1968-72 and secretary in 1996. Even when not serving on the executive, her deep belief in the festival's value moved her to promote the festival to the general public and to encourage participation by all music students. Her devotion to the festival was unwavering and she remained an avid supporter throughout her life.
Another way Josephine was able to nurture children in their musical education and to promote German culture was through the formation of The Lunenburg Kinderchor which she began with Augustine (Gusti) Beck in 1994.
Josephine was an avid swimmer from the age of 8 and this passion, once again, motivated her to teach for over 30 years, 21 of which were at the Saw Pit, in Blue Rocks and Bayport, and later for 9 years as the Director of the Lunenburg swimming pool.
Active within her community, she had been a member of the Lunenburg Curling Club and leader of the Girl Guides of Canada, where she was the first in Lunenburg to receive the Gold Chord. As an accomplished accompanist, her skills were in regular demand for community events, such as the Lunenburg Queen of the Sea Pageant and the Fisheries Exhibition.
Josephine could always be counted on to seize any opportunity where her years of experience and clear talent could be used to encourage children and adults alike to develop their skills and nurture their passions.
While her community was deeply important to Josephine, her devotion and love for her family was paramount. Her steadfast support and guidance provided the rock from which they could draw their strength, forever inspiring them with her courage and power of spirit.
She is survived by her husband, Albert; daughters, Juliette (George Joudrey), Blockhouse: Elizabeth Skinner, Chester: Angela (Sherman Lake); son-in-law, Peter Mader, Scarsdale; grandchildren, Aaron, Katie, Peter, Jamie and Emerald; great grandchildren, Cole, Leah, Claire and Kaelyn; sister, Melissa O'Connor, Dartmouth; brothers, Michael O'Connor, Mahone Bay; Terry (Jean) O'Connor, Ottawa; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Josephine is predeceased by her daughter, Rosemary Mader and sister-in-law, Lila O'Connor
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213, Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg. A service to celebrate Josephine's life will be held at Central United Church, Lunenburg on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 4:00 pm Rev. Lee Simpson and Rev. Grace Caines-Corkum, officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Church, Mahone Bay or to the Lunenburg Academy Foundation.
www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca

Josephine married Albert Maxwell Skinner in 1958. (Albert Maxwell Skinner was born on 5 Oct 1936 in , Little Bay West, Fortune Bay, Newfoundland, died on 18 Mar 2022 in Harbour View Haven Home, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and was buried in Hillcrest Cemetery - Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.)