Longtime Sun Valley resident Joan O'Connor passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2008, from natural causes.
Joan was born Aug. 30, 1930 in Riverside, Calif., to Glenn and Lucile Dudley. Joan attended Riverside Poly High School and graduated with honors in 1947. Joan then attended the University of Southern California where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. After again graduating with academic honors with a degree in education, Joan taught elementary school in Los Angeles County until retiring from education to raise her family.
Joan had three children, Molly O'Connor-Bonaduce, Michael O'Connor, and Maggie O'Connor-Shoecraft. After moving from Newport Beach, Calif., in the early 1970s, Joan relocated permanently to Sun Valley in 1974. Joan built her home on Bitterroot Road and resided there until her death. Her door was always open to her many friends and family, and most summer evenings, Joan and her family could be seen on the deck entertaining.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Lucile, brother Burt Dudley, daughter Molly Bonaduce, and her beloved yellow lab, Roxy. Joan is survived by her children, Michael and Maggie, grandchildren John, Sarah and Emma O'Connor, and Devin, Daniel and Hayley Shoecraft.
In lieu of a funeral, Joan requested that her friends and family remember her by having a party in her honor. For all of you who knew Joan and would like to celebrate her life with your memories (and a couple of cocktails), Michael and Maggie and their families will be hosting a get-together at Joan's home on Bitterroot Road on July 5, 2008, at 4 p.m.
Finally, Joan's family would like to take this opportunity to thank Lou Larzelere for always being there for Joan and being such a wonderful friend.
