HOLYOKE

Cornelia G. "Connie" O'Hare, age 69, passed away peacefully on October 11th at her home following a lengthy illness. Born in Holyoke, daughter of the late William and Mary (Warren) O'Hare, she was a 1966 graduate of Holyoke High School, 1974 graduate of Our Lady of the Elms College and received a Masters degree from the University of Massachusetts. Connie spent her career in education as a Teacher, Director and Administrator in the Holyoke, Ludlow and Springfield Public Schools and retired as the Executive Director of Human Resources from the Springfield School system. Connie was blessed with a large family as well as a large family of friends with whom she shared joys, sorrows and good times. She enjoyed traveling, spending many summers at Pine Island Lake and genealogical research. She is survived by her brother Joseph, with whom she lived and five additional siblings, William (Joyce) of Port Charlotte, FL, Maureen of Port Charlotte, Kathleen (Ross) McDonald of Easthampton, Patricia Murdza of South Hadley and Teresa O'Hare (Paul Bazanchuk) of Center Conway, NH as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was also predeceased by a sister Noreen, her nephew Derek Murdza, brother-in-law Michael Murdza and great nephew Luke Murdza. The funeral will be held Monday at 9:00am from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton St., followed by Mass in Our Lady of the Cross Parish Church at 10:00am. Burial will be held in St. Jerome Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00pm. In lieu of flowers,  the family requests that donations be made to the O'Hare Family Fund at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The fund supports the research being done into the genetically transmitted cardiomyopathy that has so greatly impacted the O'Hare family and many others. Checks may be made payable to Brigham and Women's Hospital with "in memory of Connie O'Hare" in the memo line and sent to: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Development Office, 116 Huntington Ave., 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02116.