Mary O’Connor (Tosney) completed her earthly journey peacefully at her residence in Ventura, California on Saturday, March 12, 2022. Mary Ann was born to Dr. Robert O’Connor and Mary (McMahon) O’Connor in Buffalo, NY. She spent her early years in the idyllic village of Williamsville, NY where she and her friends could walk everywhere: to school, church, the movie theater and the park. The girls would become women and scatter across the country, yet would always remain life-long friends.
Mary received her teaching degree from Daemen College and completed her Master’s Degree at SUNY at Buffalo. She taught at her high school alma mater serving as Chair of the English Department. The wild child returned as a peer!
In August of 1977, Mary wed William (Bill) Tosney in (where else?), Williamsville. Engineering employment for Bill was sparse in Western NY, and that was the beginning of the westward trek; Nuclear Engineering in Colorado, led to Petroleum Engineering in Ventura, and finally Aerospace Engineering in Los Angeles. Once Bill and Mary moved to paradise by the sea in Ventura, the moving days were over.
Settled into her new community, Mary continued her teaching career at St. Bonaventure High School, Bill commuted to L.A. and their children flourished at Our Lady of the Assumption School and St. Bonaventure High. In the late 80s, Mary founded SIGNS NOW of Ventura County which she owned and operated for 28 years. The business provided an interface to support many community efforts and charitable non-profits. Mary was a longtime member and sponsor of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. She was proud of her Irish heritage and Bill took her to the ancestral homeland for their 25 th wedding anniversary.
In 2007, she was inducted into the second class of the St. Bonaventure Hall of Fame in recognition of her dedication and ongoing support of the school. In 2011, Mary was recognized as a Distinguished Alumna of Daemen College in Amherst, NY for her service to the community; particularly in collaboration The Women of Jewelia, of which she is a founding member.
For over three decades the Tosney family made annual visits to the lower Florida Keys. Cudjoe Key was their home away from home. They enjoyed the craziness of Key West juxtaposed with the peacefulness of living on the water. Their fishing boat went out on all the days the weather would allow. They welcomed streams of family and friends and enjoyed introducing them to the tropical ambiance of the Conch Republic. It was truly their “happy place”, especially when the grandchildren would come for a visit.
Mary and her family loved to entertain and there was a period of time their Christmas parties were legendary. Whether it was Super Bowl or New Years Eve, there was always an occasion for celebration at the Tosney house.
If Mary had an avocation, it was “football fan”. She loved all things football and managed to attend several Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers games as well as 7 Super Bowls. Her true passion however, was the Friday Night Lights of St. Bonaventure Seraphs Football, which she followed tirelessly while living in Ventura. Mary was an extremely generous individual to both those she knew and didn’t know. She was a dedicated teacher, accomplished business woman, loyal friend, devoted mother and grandmother and cherished wife.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and the love of her life and husband of 42 years. She is survived by her daughter and best friend, Karen Komorowski (Lou Lucca) of Ventura, her son and hero, #52, Kelly Tosney (Christy) and beloved Grandsons, Owen Larson and William (Billy) Tosney III of Salt Lake City. She is also survived by her brothers: Robert O’Connor, Jr. (Cheryl) of Williamsville, NY, Mark O’Connor of Newbury Park, Sean O’Connor (Meghann) of San Diego and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass to be held on Monday, April 4th at the Mulcahy Center behind Our Lady of the Assumption Church, in Ventura at 10:30am with graveside service immediately to follow at Ivy Lawn Cemetery, also in Ventura. Arrangements are under the direction of JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura.