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Annie O'Connor
November 3, 1978 - June 12, 2020
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Memories
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2020-07-15 13:03:59 View / Comment (0)
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2020-07-13 08:56:38 View / Comment (0)
Neville Barnes
Annie, I can only imagine that by now you've made some changes in heaven. The introduction of novelty tat as well as banterous tales over coffee. I nervously enjoyed planned pranks with you, nervous because I never knew when they'd turn against me. You were never a safe person to be around but beyond that you were also the person I could say, 'can I run something by you' and in those moments I most got to see Annie. 100% listening, depth of creative insight, an ability to say I don't know but I'll get back to you. You were open and made space and time for people. I think my favourite thing about you was when something life orientated showed up, whether a moment of reminiscing or pride in a nephew or niece you'd put everything on hold. If I could sum you up it would be, when life shows up, work can wait. You truest life has now unfolded in front of you. I miss you from this one but pleased for you in that one. I shall see you there one day.
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2020-07-03 17:49:28 View / Comment (0)
joanne Spink
Annie, if you had not been so special I would have had nothing to say You were not just my boss but my friend, you made working with you such joy. I will miss all the tales of your miss spent youth and all your travels around the world. I wish I could fit in half of what you had done in your life, you certainly lived it to the full. I will especially miss hearing about your nephews and nieces you were so proud of them, seeing all their faces at your desk as they grew made us seem like part of your family. I can remember the first day I met you when you came for your interview and I went to collect you from the café. As you stood up I realised that I should never stand next to you in my flat shoes as you literally were a foot taller than me. You were always happy to join in anything but never did get over notd winning the Christmas party table theme, you were truly robbed Life will always be duller without you in it, but I am so glad you were. x
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2020-07-03 11:05:54 View / Comment (0)
Camilla Field
Whilst I only had the absolute pleasure of knowing Annie for a relatively short time since I joined the team at Church Army a year ago, I will always remember exchanging tales of adventure and mischief over making a brew.. or sneaking a slice of cake! Her warm, welcoming persona and love of 'banter' always lit up the working day. Huge hugs to all her nearest and dearest xx
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2020-07-02 12:48:24 View / Comment (0)
Paul Critchlow
When Annie joined Church Army she wrote a few words to introduce herself to the rest of the staff team. Part of what she wrote was, "I believe that true evangelisation is born of love and desire: a love for all people and a desire that they come to know the love of Christ and the blessings of living in his kingdom. As Paul asserts, “the love of Christ impels us to proclaim Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:14). The Church desperately needs effective evangelists. We need to understand our own message and teachings more clearly; we need to get the message straight in our own minds and lives; and then we need to get the message out to our cities, our country and our world." Looking back I recognise Annie in those words. She lived what she believed and as Christians that has to be our aim. Annie was always a presence. You always knew she was in the room. I'll remember her fun, her walks, her Converse shoes sticking out from under her desk as I walked by but mostly her warmth and depth of faith which always enriched our times of prayer. Thanks Annie, see you down the road. Paul
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2020-06-30 15:20:09 View / Comment (0)
Jayne Elliott
Although relatively new to Church Army Annie was very much one of the people who reached out to me and helped me to feel part of the Learning & Development Team. I would often bump into her first thing in the morning in Chapel before the start of the working day and acknowledge each other's presence without disturbing the silence. She was always thinking about other members of the team and concerned for their welfare. At our weekly Team Leaders get togethers I was always impressed with her care and concern for those she was responsible for.When we transitioned to working from home and I expressed some concerns about a family member in a care home Annie was one of the people who made time to arrange a video call and cuppa to check how I was feeling about the prospect of a loved one dying without being able to visit and say goodbye. She was a supportive colleague and sadly we never did get the video call we'd arrange for 10.30am on the morning she passed away when she'd made time to check in and discuss a piece of work even though she was about to go on leave. So even though I only knew her for such a relatively short time she has left a big "Annie- shaped" hole in my life and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with her.
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2020-06-30 12:18:01 View / Comment (0)
Hannah Ling
I remember that quite soon after Annie arrived at Church Army, Paul had organised a bowling fundraising event. Annie kindly drove me there and back, and it was great getting to know her properly as she was so new. Annie was the perfect lane partner, as we threw the bowling balls at the pins in the most ridiculous ways possible. That was Annie - always up for joining or making everything more fun. I also remember her open house worship evenings. She was such a chilled, welcoming host. Somehow she managed to make a random assortment of guests all feel welcome and it was totally unforced. I was blown away by how she wanted to draw people together to sing worship songs. That was Annie - totally unashamed and natural in her love for Jesus. And comfortable enough in who she was to always focus on other people and make them feel valued.
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2020-06-30 12:03:47 View / Comment (0)Hannah Ling
Annie as a guest on Everyone Everywhere, Church Army evangelism podcast. Listen to Annie's episode 'The E Word: Talking all things evangelism' here: https://everyone-everywhere.captivate.fm/listen
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2020-06-30 12:00:20 View / Comment (0)Hannah Ling
Annie 'busking' in December when out with Kinder at the Christmas Market shed, where they spoke to people about the Christmas story.
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2020-06-29 18:35:04 View / Comment (0)
Annie was so fun to work with. After she joined the training team, I noticed myself laughing and generally enjoying myself at work a lot more. Whenever she was around, she really lightened the mood of the office and and she helped to draw out the slightly silly, playful, side of me as well! I have so many fond memories of laughing with (and to be fair, sometimes at) her during training team meetings and the teaching sessions we led together. Yet she was also incredibly good at her job. In teaching sessions, she was brilliant at reading the mood of the room, putting people at ease and communicating complex material in a fun and engaging way. I learned so much about teaching and education from her. One day during lock-down, I was having a difficult day at work and Annie must have picked up on this so gave me a call. We didn't speak for long but that brief conversation with Annie made a huge difference. Within the space of a few minutes, she listened really attentively, identified with what I was feeling, and then prayed for me. That experience typified the other, deeply pastoral, side to Annie. She certainly knew how to be silly and have fun. Yet alongside (or maybe even through?) all the silliness, she taught me a lot about faith, hope and love.
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2020-06-29 15:23:43 View / Comment (0)
Steve Hollinghurst
With others i remember Annie joining the training team and as well as bringing her teaching experience, passion and knowledge she also brought 'herself' and with that a lot of fun. Training weekends now included important input from Mr Potato Head. Annie's desk became a treasure trove of bobble head Jesus', old toys and religious 'novelties'. All of this pointing to the level of mischief Annie was often perpetrating as is attested elsewhere on this page. Annie and I also enjoyed her attempts as a Catholic to understand the weird world of Anglicanism and my attempts with others to explain it. She also for others broke a few stereotypes of Catholicism, all with humour whit and genuine passion for God. Having left working for the training team over a year ago i am left with many good memories of great colleague in both work and play.
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2020-06-29 11:59:39 View / Comment (0)
Louise Luck
I loved hearing Annie laugh, share stories and pray. Annie's desk was directly in front of mine at WCC so I had front row seats for the love and care she showed her team as well as the chair races, jokes and funny stories. It was always lovely to be led in prayer by Annie at Midday Prayers, Annie shared her strong faith and depth of love for Christ and others. If there was a member of her team to be celebrated you can bet it was done thoughtfully and with style, banners and gifts festooned the desk. Annie's love for Jesus and her heart to bless, to encourage, to build up and grow was evident to all who knew her. Annie, the joy you brought us is still ringing in our ears and in our hearts.
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2020-06-29 11:29:39 View / Comment (0)Annie's words about "movement" were so beautiful and so well-written that I wanted to share them with our church. We have a "Thought for the Day" each day in these times, and I was recorded reading Annie's reflection last week, which I was asked to share here. Her joy, laughter and wisdom live on.
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2020-06-28 23:07:49 View / Comment (0)Christina O'Connor
Annie, much loved sister, aunty and friend. We are so proud of you. You always made life a bit better for everyone you met. Your faith shone out like a beautiful light for everyone to see. We love you so much and will miss you everyday. Please pray for us until we meet again. Love from your big brother James, Christina, Cormac, Maggie, Maeve, Lorcán and Ambrose. xxxxxxx XXXXXXX
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2020-06-25 14:56:49 View / Comment (0)
Towan Greene
My memory of Annie is of her wit and good humour, and her wisdom and gentleness in knowing what needed to be said or done and how to say it or do it. She would often talk about Past Annie, Present Annie and Future Annie (often when reasoning that something was Future Annie's responsibility and it wouldn't be appropriate for Present Annie to worry about it). So Rest In Peace Past Annie, as Present Annie finally catches up with Future Annie, forever, in the presence of the One she loves.
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2020-06-25 09:36:20 View / Comment (0)
Elspeth McGann
My memory is just a little example of Annie's kindness and helpfulness. Owen's Grandad died over Christmas and he had been asked to do the reading at the funeral. But the passage (from the Book of Wisdom) wasn't in any of the Bibles we had at home. I asked Annie and she showed me where I could find a Bible that would include it in the library, but they were all big hefty study Bibles. So the next day she brought me two of her own Bibles from home so that we could use them.
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2020-06-24 17:03:59 View / Comment (0)
Karen Kiely
Annie was indeed " my friend" .Each day we would greet each other with " Morning Friend".. always agreeable to a prank or two, and it was through her instigation of my sponsored silence ( she thought I couldn't do it and tried always to get me to speak that day...but i did it!) And together raised over £1000 for Church Army! She also liked to text me pictures of my desk whilst I was on holiday ..showing the dust! I shall so miss Annie ..her random texts and her presence in the office . Goodnight my friend ..i was blessed to know you x
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2020-06-24 16:03:28 View / Comment (0)
Annie's kindness and gentleness will always stay with me. She had an incredible ability to make space for people and their thoughts; an all too often skill in today's busy world. Mostly, I will remember Annie's playful and mischievous sense of humour that had become to stuff of legend at Church Army.
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2020-06-19 12:50:02 View / Comment (0)Annie's family write: We plan to play this at her graveside service – friends have said they sung this at the Sheffield Chaplaincy and on Holy Island retreats: I arise today through the strength of heaven Light of sun, radiance of moon Splendour of fire, speed of lightning Swiftness of wind, depth of the sea Stability of earth, firmness of rock I arise today through God's strength to pilot me God's eye to look before me God's wisdom to guide me God's way to lie before me God's shield to protect me From all who shall wish me ill Afar and a-near Alone and in a multitude Against every cruel, merciless power That may oppose my body and soul Christ with me, Christ before me Christ behind me, Christ in me Christ beneath me, Christ above me Christ on my right, Christ on my left Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me I arise today
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2020-06-19 12:49:25 View / Comment (0)
Hannah Tosswill
Annie's family write: Our darling daughter Annie died of natural causes on 12 June aged only 41. It was very sudden and unexpected. Annie died too soon and we are all devastated by our loss but our family has been overwhelmed by the love and support shown us which has been so helpful in carrying us through this dark time. We‘ve been inundated with comments and cards – many mention her liveliness, her laughter, her warmth, her ability to connect with, welcome and reach out to people of every kind, always looking out for the stranger or someone who felt they were an ‘outsider’. She was a compassionate, gentle, non-judgmental listener who brought out the best in her students and friends. These are just some of the comments we’ve received: ‘Annie spent her life serving God and others.’ ‘Thank God for the gift of her life in the world - she did so much good.’ ‘In her lifetime she had achieved what many do not manage in twice as much time on earth. I think the Lord will surely say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant.’ ‘ She certainly lived life to the full and packed so much into her short time on earth. She reached out to so many people.‘ ‘Working with Annie was SO much fun. Yet amidst all the silliness, she taught me a huge amount about faith, hope and love.’ We found a small notebook on Annie’s desk with just one entry which, given the circumstances, seemed prophetic: ‘Don’t just live the length of life; live the breadth of it as well.’ Annie’s faith was central to her life. A friend from the same school year remembers seeing her at weekends in the village pub where she was always the life and soul of the crowd. He told me he was always impressed at the deep faith of her special friendship group in their teenage years. Indeed, the group met once a week before school to pray together as well as their regular Sunday evening meeting which she often led. Annie went to Sheffield University to read American Studies in 1997 and never left the city, apart from a year at UNC Chapel Hill as part of her course where she integrated fully with US students rather than sticking with the ex-pat group. After a year as chaplaincy assistant - where her role involved welcoming and being available for students and leading liturgies - she took a degree in Biblical Studies, learning Hebrew and Greek, and continued her studies to gain an M.Phil. Teaching RE followed at a Sixth Form College in Nottingham travelling every day from Sheffield. She was later asked to teach Philosophy and decided to broaden her knowledge by taking a degree in PPE with the Open University graduating with First Class Honours. She joined Church Army’s Training Team in October 2016. It was the perfect job, combining her Scripture knowledge, easy manner with people from all walks of life and her skill in writing and delivering resources. Being a Catholic added another dimension to the team. Church Army works in some of the most deprived communities in the UK and Ireland, working with children and teenagers, the elderly and everyone in between. It also serves those who are homeless, lonely, those experiencing self-harm, who are at risk of gang or knife crime, the unemployed and those who are struggling to make ends meet. Annie was also involved in various ecumenical and evangelistic initiatives in Sheffield and beyond including many years as a Samaritans’ volunteer, often doing the night shift despite working full time. She was a key member of the Night Fever Mission team in Sheffield - an evening of prayer, music, contemplation and outreach at St Marie's Cathedral which takes place two or three times a year. Many of those who are invited in have no previous experience of church and enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere Annie and others provided. She loved travelling and visited many countries: USA, Australia, the Far East, North Africa, Kenya and parts of Europe. She had friends from many parts of the world and enjoyed being part of the international community in Sheffield. She was a keen walker, exploring the countryside in the UK. She also made a walking pilgrimage in April 2016 from Sheffield to the shrine in Walsingham in Norfolk, journeying 15 or so miles a day. On one of the days she met some ladies who were running a food bank. She wrote: ‘They gave me tea and biscuits and made a fuss of me – after meeting with them briefly word of my pilgrimage seemed to spread in the town, so that people approached me in the street and in the pub of the next town to ask if I was the one walking to Walsingham ...’ Each evening she wrote a blog of her reflections, ending on the last day with a quote from Helen Keller: ‘Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing at all.’ A highlight for her was making the Camino pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. James, Christina and Catherine have signed up to make the pilgrimage on a virtual basis in her memory: https://www.facebook.com/608650595820049/posts/3264336950251387/?d=n In August 2012 and August 2013, she volunteered in a Children’s Home near Nairobi, Kenya. The Home was established in 2005 by a local woman, Teresia, to care for destitute children from the streets of Nairobi. Typically these children have been victims of abuse or neglect. Some of them are orphans; all of them are vulnerable. Teresia went out into the streets to find children and offer them a home. When Annie visited there were over 100 children being cared for. The organisation, Heritage of Faith and Hope, has established a school in the Mlolongo area and its students are doing extremely well. Lives have been transformed and education has enabled these children to lift themselves out of drug addiction, poverty and despair. Annie wrote: ‘Volunteering in the Home is an uplifting and enriching experience. My tasks include playing with the small children (who get very little one-to-one attention), teaching them basic Art, English and Maths, weighing tomatoes and other food, logging donations, helping to set up basic computer systems and helping to sell the Home’s produce in the local community. When I visited in 2013, my friends Teresia and Joseph took me to another Home that they have recently set up in Murang’a, which is about three hours away from Nairobi. This new Home has very little – no sanitation, no water, no electricity, very little food, no money for clothes or school fees. So this new Home in Murang’a has become my personal charity project.’ Annie continued to raise funds for the project which she sent regularly to Kenya. We plan to keep the charity going in her honour. Annie was our middle child of five, although only seven minutes older than her twin Joe. She is survived by her brothers James, Matt, Joe and her sister Catherine, James and Christina’s children Cormac 13, Maggie 11, Maeve 8, Lorcan 5 and Ambrose 2, Matt and Caroline’s daughter Eve 3 and Joe and Laura’s twins Rosie and Isabelle 3 as well as many godchildren. Annie was always a very hands-on aunt and godmother. She loved visiting the little ones and playing all sorts of silly games. Our middle three were only 18 months apart and they were very close: people were sometimes unsure which two were the twins. Growing up with three brothers Annie often hoped for a sister. There were nearly ten years between her and Catherine but in adulthood the gap diminished and they became close friends. It was a privilege and a great joy to have known her but sadly for such a short while. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
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2020-06-19 12:18:55 View / Comment (0)
Hannah Tosswill
I will always remember Annie fondly. The way in which she connected with anyone and everyone that made them feel seen, heard and loved is something I will forever be inspired by. Passing her desk always brought a smile as I caught snippets of her humouring her team. I have lost count of the times I've said 'Annie, what mischief are you up to now?!' Lockdown brought further charm to our colleagueship, as Annie would always choose a video call over an email, 'just because it is nicer' and for an excuse to say hello as well as talk work. This was just a small gesture but always brightened my day, making me feel loved. I have only known Annie a year but I feel truly blessed to have shared in what has been such a full and fruitful life.
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2020-06-19 11:52:39 View / Comment (0)
Faye Popham
So thankful to have worked with Annie for the last 4 years. I will always remember her for her laughter and the ability to make people smile. I always loved passing by her desk to discover her latest addition of "tat" to her desk to go with her mr potato head and random novelty pens. She's always shown such kindness and has always been there fore people. I am grateful for her big heart for people and her huge sense of fun. Our lives have been so much richer for having her in our team at Church Army and I hope we can continue to live on her legacy.
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Andrew Wooding
Andrew Wooding
I told Annie on more than one occasion that, despite being at least a decade older than her, I wish I'd known her at school. I was one of those kids that hid in the library, but if Annie had been my friend I would have hung out with her and her gang in the playground. She was deep and serious about her faith, and I so admired her for her weekly work with the Samaritans. But she also valued play and a sense of fun, and I would have so enjoyed that during school play times! She was also the perfect line manager. If I'd goofed up or forgotten something, and was mortified at my mistake, she would just wave it off and say that in the grand scheme of things it was fine. She had laid-back authority. She was a leader, but also 'one of the lads'. I so wish she was still here.
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