Joan Bauer O’Hara
October 06, 1921 - December 08, 2016
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Joan Bauer O’Hara
October 06, 1921 - December 08, 2016
Obituary
Joan Bauer O’Hara was escorted by Angels & our Blessed Mother to her heavenly home on the Holy Day & Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), which characterizes her 95 years of faith & serving the Lord. She was surrounded by her 7 children who prayed as she entered her new adventure of being reunited with her husband, Francis Xavier O’Hara.
Joan, a country girl at heart, was born in Underwood, N. Dakota on Oct. 6, 1921 to Calix Francis Bauer & Theresa Kunigunde (Reuter) Bauer. She was enfolded within a family of 5 siblings: older brother Burnett Bauer & sister Callista Whiting (deceased), followed by Mary Jo Ederer, Rita Rank & Calix Bauer. Her husband, Frank, was a city slicker from New York & when she met her charming “Fighting Irishman” in South Bend, IN, history was made. They were married for 39 years until his early death in 1989.
Prior to marriage & her brood of children, Joan graduated high school from Good Counsel Academy in Mankato, MN in 1939 & crowned Miss Posture Beauty Queen. Joan went on to earn an academic scholarship and graduated in 1943 from the College of St. Benedict (St. Joseph, MN) with a BA in English (Speech) & 2 minors in Drama & Philosophy. Teaching was her passion and she honed her English & P.E. skills in Minnesota for the St. Cloud High School District, Long Prairie High School District & Lakefield School District. Stories of how she made a difference in young lives with what little they had were touching, educational and have withheld the test of time. Most important, Joan left a deep, profound imprint of how a Catholic lady should conduct her life no matter the obstacles.
Joan is survived by her 7 children: Mary “Mimi” O’Hara, Maura Unruh (Greg), Catherine “Katie” O’Hara, Rita Duyn, Peter O’Hara, Greg O’Hara, Padraic “Pat” O’Hara (Kris); and 9 grandchildren: Dr. Erin O’Hara, Emily Unruh, Hannah Unruh, James Unruh, Kevin O’Hara, twins Colleen & Calix O’Hara, Shannon O’Hara and Jack O’Hara.
Services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 20th. Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at San Rafael Catholic Church, Rancho Bernardo, followed by the Committal service at Dearborn Memorial Park, Poway.
In lieu of flowers, Joan has asked donations be made to one of her favorite charities: College of St. Benedict, www.givecsb.com; Maryknoll Fathers, www.maryknollsociey.org; St. Vincent de Paul/Fr. Joe’s Villages, www.my.neighbor.org
4 responses to Joan Bauer O’Hara
Greene Family says:
December 14, 2016
Please accept my family’s heartfelt condolences on the loss of your dear loved one. May you find comfort in fond memories of them, and The Almighty God’s promise to restore those asleep in death to perfect life on a paradise Earth.
Terry Squires says:
December 14, 2016
Oh Mrs. O’Hara…….I loved to spend the night at the O’Hara house. Mrs. O’Hara would make cinnamon rolls…..her mother’s recipe. If it was Friday during lent, we would drop a knee or two and pray the rosary as a family. Mrs. O’Hara was a beautiful example of a Catholic wife and mother. I know the family has many wonderful memories of their Mom. Treasure the memories and the wonderful years you had with her! Love all of you!
Gail Palumbo-Sammons says:
December 18, 2016
My love and prayers to each of you as you carry on the Bauer O’Hara legacy these days. It was our Palumbo move to the Monterey RA and your Dad’s invitation to check out the Carmel Views neighborhood that brought our families together.
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As we made our way through the elementary and then teen years, your Mom shared much wisdom to a young Mom coming up the ranks. Most of all, our love for Jesus, was the Spirit that bound us in friendship, Thank you to Rita, the last visit we shared was here in Tacoma, when you were going to Seattle to visit Aunt Rita. Very dear to me.
Really great years on Pinehills Dr. and Outlook Drive, I wish I could attend the services to share in honoring your Mom. Blessings abound as you gather, Love, Gail Palumbo Sammons,
Janet Chapluk says:
December 20, 2016
Remembrances of Joan O’Hara bring forth images of a gracious, personable, spirited, and loving lady (in the true sense of the word), who established a remarkable family that she leaves as her legacy Our condolences and love, Janet and Greg Chapluk