Karla Ann (Smith) O’Connor went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, September 12, 2017. She was born March 5, 1951 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Karla attended Kofa High School in Yuma, Arizona. As a dedicated military spouse and mother, she lived a long and fruitful life in many places throughout the United States and as far away as the Philippines. However, she called New York her home for the last 24 years. She worked several jobs in different fields such as a property management, hospitality, childcare development, secretarial, and medical transcribing. Her health took a drastic change for the worse following her Lyme disease diagnosis in the late 1990’s. Although, she battled several other illnesses as well, she never allowed her health conditions to defeat her spirit and will to live.
She befriended and assisted many people and families throughout her lifetime. She was grateful for her friendships and all those who came to her aid when she needed it most. She believed that you should give thanks to your higher power every day for your many blessings. Her favorite saying was, “I DO CARE!” She was adamant there is always something you can do to help someone else.
Her children would like say thank you to all the doctors, nurses, and health care professionals, as well as other helping agencies, businesses and emergency first responders who cared and assisted their mother in Putnam County. “We are eternally grateful for your kindness, commitment, and dedication with the treatment of our mother.”
Karla is survived by her loving children, Michael A. O’Connor (Sonia) of San Diego, California, and Fayreen A. Smith (Monday) of Lemoore, California. She is also survived by her beloved grandson, Dominique and granddaughters, De’Yona, Jalesa, and Madeline and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in death by her parents Viola Beatrice Smith (Tuffley) and Paul Freeman Smith, her brothers Paul and Jay Dee, and sisters Marla, Vicky, Fannie, and Marjorie.
Honoring Karla’s wishes, there will be no public viewing or service. A private cremation will take place before she travels to be with her family for a personal celebration of her life. Her children would like to extend a special thanks to Balasmo-Cordovano Funeral Home for their time, assistance and direction. Family or friends can leave their condolences at www.BalasmoCordovanoFuneralHome.com. Those wishing to send correspondence can send it to PO BOX 314, Carmel, NY, 10512, in care of Michael O’Connor or Fayreen Smith.