The eulogy for my beloved grandmother Ann O’Connor
1940-2024
My Grandma Ann O’Connor was as bright as the Arizona sun. It’s difficult to put into words the profound impact she had on her children, us grandchildren, her beloved great-grandchildren, and everyone she ever met. My Grandma had an incredible ability to make you feel at ease and at home whenever you were with her. She was full of spirit, style, humor, and life.
Grandma was incredibly active and had a variety of different hobbies throughout her life. She loved a good game of golf, playing cards with her friends, whipping up amazing Czech recipes like her famous cucumbers and Rohlíky, and fishing on the lake in Iowa, using little corn kernels as bait. I was constantly inspired by her zest for life and her belief that age was merely a number, not a limitation. She truly lived by the idea that you’re never too old to try something new.
In recent days, I’ve found myself looking through every photo I can find of Grandma—on my phone, on Facebook—and they are proof that she lived every day to the fullest. Whether it’s her on the boat in Arizona with her shades on looking effortlessly cooler than all of us or with her friends at a Halloween costume party, I will forever be inspired by the fun times that she had and the youthful spirit she brought to every room.
At Christmastime, she always had a new activity or game to bring our family together. Some of my favorite memories are from her pink townhome, where we’d all gather in the living room, sitting on the floor in our pajamas to open presents. Us grandkids could always count on our stockings being stuffed with little trinkets, gifts, and—always—one little orange.
I always associate my Grandma with the bright, shining sun of Arizona—not just because of her signature bright orange and yellow clothing, her golden hair, or her perfectly manicured nails, but because of her bright and vivid heart. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of picking oranges and lemons from the trees in her backyard. Every year, I looked forward to the giant box of fruit she’d send to us in Iowa. Every time I eat an orange, I will think of my Grandma.
She was also one of the strongest people I knew. Beating cancer twice in her life, she was a prime example of courage and strength. She passed that down to all of us. She was particular with what she wanted and she was straight to the point, sometimes brutally, but it was all a testament to how strong and faithful she was in herself and what she believed in.
She was endlessly supportive of us grandchildren in all of our endeavors, always showing up to cheer us on. Her most recent trip to come see one of my shows was probably my favorite. I was in Tulsa, Oklahoma last year, the day after Thanksgiving, holed up in some hotel room missing my family, when all of a sudden, I got a knock on my hotel room door. It’s none other than my mom and my Grandma Ann, who came to surprise me all the way from Arizona. We had such a great weekend together, cuddling up in bed watching movies, going out to dinner after the show. She wasn’t just my Grandma, she was a true friend.
It’s hard to say goodbye to those we love. Our hearts feel like a piece is missing. But as we leave here today and return to our lives, wherever we live, we can all carry a piece of my Grandma Ann with us forever. Whenever I feel low or in need of support, I’ll look back on the incredible memories we shared and the vibrant life she lived. Her legacy will live on in all of us.
This week in Iowa has been bittersweet. Like I said, saying goodbye is never easy, but I have loved spending time with my family that Grandma Ann was so proud of and it’s been a joy to reminisce with everyone on the different ways she impacted each one of our lives. I know that Grandpa, Grandma, and Mitzi are all looking down on us, smiling, and I hope each one of you can carry a bit of Grandma’s sunshine with you wherever you go.
some time to think 