Florence Sullivan Connor

Florence Sullivan Connor died peacefully on December 12, 2022 at Mount Saint Mary, Marian Hall. Florence was a lifelong resident of Wichita, the oldest of seven, preceding her twin Fran by 10 minutes. She graduated from Cathedral High School in 1940, where she first met and dated her future husband, Bill Connor, the love of her life. But there was a world war raging and their early marriage included many separations. When peace finally came, Florence and Bill were able to begin their married life together. They became founding members of a new parish, All Saints Catholic Church and soon bought their first and only house within walking distance of the new Catholic grade school.Florence dedicated her long life to her husband, her children, her church, her large extended Irish Catholic family and also to her community through her volunteer work. She was a Girl Scout leader of troops at All Saints and in low-income areas in Wichita. She was active in the All Saints’ Altar Society and diocesan-wide projects such as the Lord’s Diner, where she volunteered into her 90s. She worked for 23 years at Wichita Area Girl Scout Council, which she called her dream job. Many new leaders benefited from her experience and over-the-front-counter advice. She was recognized for her service with Girl Scouting’s highest award, the Thanks Badge. Retirement brought a whole new chapter in Florence’s life as she and Bill traveled the United States in their camper visiting far flung family members and national and state parks. They proudly became winter Texans. They also traveled to Asia and Europe where their son was posted by the Army.After her husband died, Florence continued to travel Europe on multiple tours with her twin and brother-in-law and with her children. Her proudest moment during this time was becoming an Associate of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.Florence is predeceased by her husband, Bill; her son, Denis who died in childhood; her identical twin sister, Fran Brent; her parents, Anna Katherine and Francis Sullivan; her sister, Ella Mae Sullivan; and brothers, Frank and John.She is survived by her brother, Mike Sullivan; children, Bill Connor (Susan), Jayne Farmer (Joe) and Deb (Denise); five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She also became a second mother to the four children of her twin, Greg, Dan and Robin Brent and Laurie Tillman and “adopted” as her Wichita daughter her niece, Diane Connor Pope. Florence was well known for her ability to make friends anywhere and of any age and many of those became the “angels” who helped Florence stay in her own home until her health and mobility began to wane. Her family deeply appreciates these special people who continued to visit her at Mount St. Mary. The Rosary will be said at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary at 7 pm on Friday, December 16, 2022. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am, Saturday, December 17, 2022, at All Saints Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.Donations may be directed to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202; All Saints Catholic Church Altar Society, 3205 Grand St., Wichita, KS 67218; and Dear Neighbor Ministries, 1329 S. Bluffview, Wichita, KS 67218.