Tamara "Tammy" Jane O'Connor

Tamara “Tammy” Jane O’Connor, age 61, received her heavenly reward on Thursday, November 28, 2025, while residing at Our Lady of Peace Hospice Home in St. Paul.

Tammy was born on July 22, 1964, in Austin, Minnesota, to Lawrence and Viola (Harrington) O’Connor. Tammy and her twin brother Timothy became the final installment in the O’Connor clan joining their six older siblings. Tammy attended Neveln Elementary School, Queen of Angels Junior High, Pacelli High School and graduated in 1983 from Austin High School. Tammy received her associate’s degree from Austin Community College. After graduating from ACC, Tammy worked at many different jobs including the Austin Country Club Pro Shop and Campbell Mithun. Tammy decided to venture out of Minnesota to join her lifelong Soul Sister, Heidi Fessler, and spent many years in the New York City metropolitan region. While on the East Coast, Tammy worked as a nanny and waitressed at the Malibu Diner in Hoboken. Tammy had many big city adventures but didn’t let all the fun stop her from completing her education. Tammy continued her undergraduate studies at CUNY-Hunter College in New York City and then graduated from Jersey City State College in 1995 with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Elementary Education.

With her degree in hand, Tammy decided to come home to Austin where she worked at Kenny’s Oak Grill, taught as a substitute teacher, and welcomed her amazing daughter, Carlene, into her life in 1996. Carlene brought true happiness to Tammy’s life, and she reminded Carlene every day that God had given her the greatest gift in Carlene.

Tammy found her other passion being a teacher in the Lyle Public School District where over her 26 years of teaching 4th grade she touched the hearts and minds of so many students. Tammy was a Lyle “Super Fan” and was always present at her current and former students’ events and activities. The Lyle students, staff, and community became another family to Tammy and Carlene. Tammy was recognized for her outstanding teaching abilities and received many awards including Teacher of the Year in 2022, but Tammy’s greatest reward was knowing that she made learning fun and will live on in her students.

When Tammy was diagnosed with aggressive lung cancer in June of 2025 she was amazed by the outpouring of love and support from so many including the team and patrons at Kenny’s Oak Grill, the Lyle Legion, all the Lyle Public School staff and students, the Austin community, her daughter Carlene, and her very own “Team Tammy”. Team Tammy grew to include the doctors, nurses, and staff at Mayo Clinic Health Systems and all her friends. Tammy had a village of amazing people who loved and supported her.

Tammy found joy and humor in living every day surrounded by those she loved dearly. Family, her best friends, and Carlene enjoyed every minute of spicy Tammy time. Tammy is survived by her amazing daughter, Carlene O’Connor; siblings, Joseph (Jennifer) O’Connor, Nancy (Joe) Rasmussen, Shawn (Brenda) O’Connor, Peggy (Jim) Cummings; her twin brother, Timothy (Barb) O’Connor; and her many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Larry and Viola O’Connor; and her brothers, Steven and Dennis. Tammy is especially thankful for her Soul Sister Heidi Fessler (Mark Murphy) and family, who walked with Tammy for the last 48 years including on her final journey.

The Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Tammy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Austin with Fr. Thien Nguyen officiating. The visitation will take place from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin and will continue for one hour prior to the Mass at church on Friday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Austin. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family to be used for funeral expenses and to aid in the support of Tammy’s daughter Carlene. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.