Rochelle Connor

Rochelle Ann Connor (nee Radcliffe) a true angel among us, went home to be with our Lord, and her daughter Erin Shea Connor, in that new home not built by human hands, at midday, Friday, February 10th, 2023. She is survived in this mortal plane by her husband of 41 years, Jerry Francis Connor, grandson, Elijah Daniel Connor, aged 12, (Elijah's loving guardians, Robert and Nicole Steiner), mother Patricia A. Radcliffe (nee Albin), brother Daniel W. Radcliffe, step sister Heather Radcliffe-Cedro (Manny), step brother Jason Radcliffe (Sharon), father Wesley A. Radcliffe, stepmother Barbara Radcliffe, aunt /sister Janice Pinter (nee Albin) (Chris Pinter), uncle Charles Albin (Virginia Albin), aunt Linda Meyers (nee Albin) (Steve Meyers), uncle Rodney Radcliffe, uncle Edward Albin (Sherry), and other extended family members. Rochelle's kind and loving spirit uplifted all in her life. A beautiful redheaded angel born to Patricia and Wesley Radcliffe on November 17th, 1962. She grew up in the thumb of Michigan, spending time on the farm with her grandmother Elenora Radcliffe (nee Peters), the family dog "King" and horse "Cricket". Her deep and abiding love of animals was a blessing to a succession of "critters" in her life. Rochelle graduated Magna Cum Laude from Waterford-Kettering Highschool in 1980. She attended and graduated from a two-year course at the Port Huron School of Business in 1982. While attending the Port Huron School of Business, a classmate, Kathy Popelka, played match maker, introducing Rochelle to the Coastie Jerry Connor at a home cooked meal of pan-fried chicken, greens and cornbread. Mike and Kathy Popelka ate quickly and left the couple to have a non-stop conversation. It was love at first sight. Rochelle and Jerry were married in a civil ceremony on February 26th, 1982, and in a church ceremony on May 15th, 1982. Rochelle and Jerry traversed the world in their time together. Jerry's Coast Guard Career took them to Eureka California in 1982. In Eureka she worked for the Humboldt County District Attorney's office as a secretary and attended Humboldt State University. In 1986 they were transferred to Coast Guard Loran Station Sylt, on the Frisian Island of Sylt in the North Sea off Denmark and West Germany. During that tour, in 1987, she gave birth to their only child, the golden angel, Erin Shea Connor. In 1988 they were transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Dauntless in Miami Florida. Rochelle cared for Erin Shea in Miami while Jerry deployed on CG Dauntless. In 1992 Jerry was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and they were transferred to Coast Guard Air Station Cape May New Jersey. During this tour Rochelle worked in the accounting department of the Coast Guard Exchange System at TRACEN Cape May. In 1996 they were transferred to Coast Guard Group/Base Milwaukee, where they bought their home in South Milwaukee. In South Milwaukee Rochelle continued to care for Erin Shea and worked as a paraprofessional librarian for the South Milwaukee Public School District, an office manager for Thompson and Associates Wetlands Services, and the secretary / treasurer for the First United Church of Christ South Milwaukee. She was loved and admired by co-workers and employers alike in all her endeavors. On July 6, 2010, Erin Shea gave birth to Elijah Daniel Connor, Rochelle's only grandchild. Tragically, Erin Shea passed away in January of 2011 due to complications from post-partum depression and bi-polar 1 syndrome. Rochelle, thought devastated by the death of her daughter, took over as Elijah's loving and nurturing mother and grandmother for over 11 years. In the fall of 2022 Rochelle was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. After a course of palliative treatment, she succumbed to systemic metastatic cancer and passed from this mortal plane to be with her daughter in that new home with the Lord. Her spirit lives on in all of us who know and love her. Throughout her life she was a caretaker of rescue animals and expressed her desire that donations in her memory be made to the Wisconsin Humane Society.