Mary A. O'CONNOR, 64, of Needham died January 2, 2015. She was the beloved daughter of the late Louis and Agnes O'Connor.

Family: She is survived by her sister Rosellen "Roz" of Needham, her brother Lou and his wife Trink and their daughter Sohee of Liberty Lakes, Washington. She is also survived by her dear friend Valerie.

Life:  For the past three years she bravely faced the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer, trusting in the mercy and love of God. Mary was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and the University of Illinois. She taught English as a second language for 30 years at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and most recently taught the same subject at Showa in Boston. She lived generously and personally engaged with many of her students over the years. She will be remembered as a woman of faith who loved to sing the praises of the Lord.

Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave. (Exit 19B off 128) NEEDHAM, Thursday at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Joseph Church, Needham, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in St. Mary Cemetery, Needham. Donations in Mary's memory may be made to Heifer International, P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203. For directions and guestbook gfdoherty.com.  Published in The Boston Globe on Jan. 4, 2015