Martina Elizabeth O'Connor

Martina “Marty” (Golden) O’Connor
Yuma, Arizona - Marty passed away peacefully on January 27, 2024 after a battle with dementia, complicated by pneumonia. She was born June 5, 1949 to Richard “Dick” and Margaret (VanScoy) Golden in Ainsworth Nebraska.

Her childhood was spent in Ainsworth, Grinnell Iowa, and they settled in Columbus Nebraska. Graduating in 1965 from Columbus High School.
Her parents were bridge partners with Mr. And Mrs. A.X. O’Connor, Sr., and their son Albert Jr., (Bert) was introduced to Marty in 1963 and their story began, with a drive and a coke, she thought Bert was “riots”.

In 1968 Marty began college at Kearney State College, in Nebraska. Always fond of languages, (and talking) she got a bachelors degree in education K-12 French, and played flute and piccolo in the college band. A talent that she shared along with the recorder during her time as a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Her first job off campus was at Good Samaritan Hospital, working in the switchboard.

In 1974 she and Bert were married at the Newman Center, and made their home in Kearney, Nebraska and she continued her career at GSH, finding her place as a secretary in surgery, radiology, cath lab, and becoming a Certified Medical Transcriptionist. Always part of the community, active in the Jaycee’s and Kiwanis, and later in Yuma part of the Kiwanis there.

In 2005, she and Bert decided to head South to warmer climates and she began a transcription job at Yuma Regional Medical Center, in Yuma, Arizona. She continued to work there until she retired in 2011.

A woman with the ability to make friends everywhere she went, she filled her days after retirement with new friends at Bipolar Support Group, and at the church of Latter Day Saints, finding a community that truly “moved her spirit”. In the last few months of her dementia she was called back to the Catholic Church that she was raised in, and it is undeniable that her faith was important to her.

The last 5 years were filled with many trials, dementia is a traumatic disease. Through it all she had the support of her LDS community, and her grandchildren to keep her focus. She moved into assisted living and found many friends, and her dog Toby who was her constant companion taking the lead and making sure she got back to her apartment at night.

She is survived by her daughter Curran, sons Sonny (Rachel) O’Connor, Patrick (Amanda) O’Connor all of Kearney, Nebraska, nephew John (Cathy) Golden of Colorado, and grandchildren, Jadon, Liam, Nora and Eamon, of Kearney. Her best boy Toby aka Babycakes, and many extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Albert (Bert), her brothers, Patrick, Robert, and John, and her parents.

As growing older is inevitable, please get your affairs in order early, talk about plans, if dementia or Alzheimer’s becomes part of your life, as we never know what the future holds. Have the hard conversations with your family about Advance Directives, designate a power of attorney for healthcare and finances and discuss your health wishes with them.

Funeral Mass will be Friday, 2/16/24 at 10:30 AM at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, Nebraska.
Memorials can be made to the family.
Private burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery on a later date.

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