Alice Elizabeth Gavan O'Connor

Alice Elizabeth Gavan O'Connor, age 104, of East Grand Rapids passed away peacefully on November 6, 2024, with her family by her side. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and has lived in Grand Rapids since 1945. Alice spent many years in Wyoming, Michigan raising her family, then she bought a home in Heritage Hill in Grand Rapids, recently she has resided at her son Jim and wife Barb's home in East Grand Rapids. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Elise Gavan, her brothers Robert (Eunice), Charles (Gerry), and Edward (Kay), her beloved husband John V. O'Connor Sr. and her "number one" son, John Vincent O'Connor Jr. One big influence in her life was her paternal grandmother, Alice Davison, who emigrated, bringing with her a cutting from her home of a Rose of Sharon bush. It was planted at Alice's grandparents' home in Ludington, with every generation now having a cutting from that bush (the Gavan Rose of Sharon) in their own yards. She will be dearly missed by her children: Katherine O'Connor (Terrell) Kuhn, Christine Ann O'Connor, her daughter-in-law Gabriel Works, Aloise Joan (Michael) Lewakowski, Teresa Eileen (Richard) Schillaci, Doyle Gerard (Anita Caref) O'Connor, James Gavan (Barbara) O'Connor, Kevin Michael (Kathy) O'Connor, and ex son-in-law Richard (Bev) Divelbiss. Especially missing her will be her grandchildren: Donna Stine, Karl (Kim Doran) Kuhn, Eric (Mindy Miller) Kuhn, Sam (Susie Howe) O'Connor-Divelbiss, Peter O'Connor-Divelbiss, Ben (Kasey Branam) O'Connor-Divelbiss, Bridget (Raoul) Da Costa, Paul (Cecilie Hedetoft) Lewakowski, Gina Schillaci, Tony (Kristin) Schillaci, R.J. Schillaci, Robert Schillaci, Gavan (Nafatari Hale) O'Connor, Peter Caref, Kevin (Crystal Clark) Caref, Elisa (Pascal Abidor) Caref, Madeline and Isabelle O'Connor; her great grandchildren: William Stine, Maeve and Sophia Kuhn, Marin and Greta Alexander, Georgie Branam-Divelbiss, Mateus and Beatrice Da Costa, Vilje and Otto Lewakowski, Nick, Randal, Luca and Crystal Klatt, Mateo Caref-Silla and Sylvie Abidor; and her great-great grandchildren Yalaria, Avianna and Kylah Stine. She will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews. Alice was proud of her large family. She touched the lives of them all in many wonderful ways and was a strong and important influence on each. Alice was our family rock, not physically but in many ways, emotionally, morally, and intellectually. She not only raised eight children, mostly alone, but was involved in her church and many volunteer organizations and had a strong career as well. Her great love of reading, travel, inclusiveness, and openness to the world was passed on to her entire family. She especially enjoyed being a part of any all family parties! Alice was a devoted Catholic and a longtime member of St. John Vianney Parish, St. Dominic and then the Cathedral of St. Andrews. She taught religious education and conducted RCIA training for many years. She sponsored several children over the years through Children International. Alice had a long and varied work history. She was particularly proud of her work during WW Il with the War Department/ Army Air Forces. She retired after many years as a claims manager at the Michigan Employment Security Commission. She then kept busy with volunteer work and traveling. She volunteered at the Grand Rapids Public Museum for over 30 years as a docent and then volunteer coordinator. She was active with the Kent County Agency on Aging, helping lead the fight for the successful passage of the first Kent County Senior Millage. Her travel adventures took her all over the world. Her last big trip was a cruise on the Danube when she was in her late 90's. Her favorite travel destination was New Zealand. Alice was born in 1920, just as women finally got the right to vote. Her love of democracy was a constant, and she was thrilled to be able to cast her absentee vote for Kamala Harris. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Sunday, November 17 from 4-7pm (with a rosary at 6:30) at Arsulowicz Brothers East Mortuary, 937 Michigan St NE., Grand Rapids. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Monday, November 18 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 215 Sheldon SE, Grand Rapids. An additional hour of visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the funeral. A luncheon will follow the Mass. The burial will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, 4100 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, Mi. Those wishing to make memorial contributions may give to the charity of their choice or: Children International www.children.org 800-888-3089, P.O. Box 219055, Kansas City, MO. 64121 Meca's Angels, 616-422-6941, mecasangels@gmail.com, 1254 52nd St. Grand Rapids, Mi. 49508 Emmanuel Hospice, 616-719-0919, info@emmanuelhospice.org. 401 Hall St SE, #263, Grand Rapids, Mi 49503.

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Alice Elizabeth Gavan O'Connor

October 3, 1920 - November 6, 2024