Margaret Alice (Shertenlieb) O’Connor, 87

February 20, 2025

Margaret Alice (Shertenlieb) O’Connor, 87, of Lititz, PA, went to be with the Lord and her beloved husband, Patrick, on February 20, 2025, surrounded by her family at Landis Homes, in Lititz, PA. Margaret was devoted to her husband, family, and friends, and brought a smile to whomever she met. She was often referred to as “Sweet Alice” by her family and friends. Margaret’s legacy is one of love and kindness.

Margaret, “Alice” to some and “Maggie” to others, was born in Germantown, PA, on February 26, 1937, daughter of the late William and Margaret (Van Tassell) Shertenlieb. She was a graduate of The American Community School in Buenos Aires, Argentina, making many life-long friends. She graduated from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, where she was a Chi Omega Sorority member, receiving a Bachelor’s of Arts in Languages.

Margaret met the love of her life, Patrick Michael Thomas O’Connor, on a blind date while attending Purdue University. They married in 1959 and celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on August 1st, 2022. After their wedding they made many military moves, making and keeping new friends who often became part of their extended family. Their door was always open.

Before starting her family, Margaret taught elementary school and in later years she returned to education as a substitute teacher and tutor. She especially loved working with children with disabilities. Margaret also had a huge heart for animals. She never met a stray she didn’t feel a responsibility to love and care for. She and Patrick provided a home for many of God’s creatures over the years.

Margaret loved languages, travel, and world cuisine. She loved communicating with anyone she met regardless of language. She was fluent in Spanish and French and while stationed in Germany, she learned German. She also picked up some Italian and Arabic. Diverse languages were no obstacle for her. Throughout her life, she spent time in South America, the Middle East and Europe, as well as the US. Her love of travel and sense of adventure made her the perfect Army spouse. Through her many military moves and years of travel she had the gift of absorbing the culture, not only through language, but also through food; we grew up eating homemade hummus before it could be found in stores. Over her life, Margaret frequently brought all of these gifts and talents together to share with her family and friends.

Margaret loved antiquing, walking, biking, crossword puzzles, and Scrabble. She enjoyed long walks with her family, bike adventures with friends and she loved having a big salad while playing Scrabble with her children. She never missed her Sunday crossword puzzle.

Margaret is survived by her children, (Shannon Kolb and her husband Chris, Courtney Zimmerman and her husband Chris, and USMC Col Christopher O’Connor and his wife, Aurora), her five grandsons (Sean Kolb, Jonathan Kolb, Nathaniel O’Connor, Noah Zimmerman, and Benjamin O’Connor), and her two great-granddaughters, (Margaret Kolb and Luna Kolb). Her third great-daughter is expected in June. Margaret is survived by two siblings, (William Shertenlieb, wife Bonnie, predeceased, Kathleen Sobolewski and her husband Paul), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends and family will be received from 10AM to 11AM on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 2427 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601 where Margaret was a parishioner for many years. A Funeral Mass will follow beginning at 11AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Margaret’s name to The Pennsylvania SPCA Lancaster Center, 848 S. Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 or to The Humane Pennsylvania Lancaster Adoption Center for Cats & Critters, 2195 Lincoln Hwy E., Lancaster, PA 17602.

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