1931 – 2024
Shrewsbury – Inge Ursula O’Connor, 92, a resident of Southgate at Shrewsbury, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024 after living a long, full, and at times difficult, but always love-filled life.
She was born May 22, 1931 to the late Adele (Urban) and Wilhelm Schubert in the former eastern territory of Mechtal, Germany, which became Poland after WWII.
Inge was predeceased by the love of her life Patrick Joseph O’Connor. She is survived by her faithful and loving son Patrick Wilhelm, and his wife Erin; her brother Siegfried and his wife Helga of Berlin, Germany; her niece Annerose Sessler of Valparaiso, Chile; her husband’s son Paul O’Connor and daughter Mary Patricia (O’Connor) Lagodich. She was the adored “Omi” of her grandchildren; Caitlin, Quinn, Nora, Ella, and Rowan, and “Tante”/Aunt Inge to many dear nieces and nephews in Germany, Chile, Sweden, and the USA.
Inge worked for Mobil Oil in Basel, Switzerland and met “Pat” in 1962 while he was traveling on a weekend pass during his deployment to France in response to the Berlin Crisis. A long-distance romance turned into a loving marriage and raising a son in a new country. Inge was always faithful to her Lutheran religion, bible study, and her German heritage and traditions. For years, Inge enjoyed gardening at their Cape Cod home, cutting fresh flowers for the table, and inviting summer visitors.
Since March 2010, Inge missed her beloved Pat greatly, and though nearing 93, she would still sneak off to drive herself to the Cape for a “visit”. She’d bring red roses to his gravesite, as he always brought her during their marriage. Though Inge was aged, her death still came as a shock to us. Her mind was sharp, her spirit strong. We have solace knowing she is once again with her beloved, and that our love for her will endure.
Calling hours for Inge will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, at Miles-Sterling Funeral & Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 22, at First Church at Sterling, 6 Meetinghouse Hill Road. Inge will be laid to rest privately beside her husband Pat at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.
Visit www.nebg.org/donate and select “This is a Tribute or Memoriam” in Memory of Inge O’Connor. A planting dedication will be created for each season of the coming year, at Tower Hill for all to enjoy.
