The LuLac Edition #210, May 1rst, 2007

PHOTO INDEX:

PALM CARD FROM

1973 ELECTION HIGHLIGHTING THE

LATE HELEN O'CONNOR,

LONG TIME REGISTER

OF WILLS IN LUZERNE

COUNTY.

REMEMBERING HELEN O'CONNOR

Helen O'Connor died the other day. It was not unexpected. After all, 95 is a good long life for anyone. But still, a death of an icon, political or otherwise, gives you a jolt. And Helen O'Connor was a political constant in the lives of everybody in Luzerne County. When you serve in an elective office for 32 years, you touch many lives. 32 years is a whole grown up adult's lifespan. O'Connor served during those years with distinction, no scandal and a cheerey resolve that made her not only a popular role model for women in politics but also for anyone interested in the process.
She was always at every Democratic dinner, sitting there on the dias in either a navy or gray suit, always wearing sensibible shoes that were shined within an inch of their lives. At these functions she gave no big speeches and certainly never recited the Polish mantra that her in law, Senator Martin Murray gave "druzy lever", meaning Democratic lever, or straight ticket. But the tickets that populated those dinners came from many of her supporters. She never had any serious opposition either which spoke to her popularity and competence.
There were hints of nepotism but all of her kids got degrees in various forms of disciplines, have held real professional jobs in the world and there were no forms of family embarrassments for her to deal with. So if any of them got a push from mom's connections, I say "so what!"
I met Mrs. O'Connor on a few occasions traveling to functions with my uncle Timmy Pribula or as an interested bystander in the political process. She was always cordial and polite. When she chose not to run for office in the nineties, after 32 years in her position, a virtual catfight ensued to succeed her in office. That was ironic since no one ever had a bad word to say about Helen O'Connor. She lived a long, productive life and set the gold standard for what a row officer should mean to her constiuencies.

Here's how the Times Leader covered her death:

She was one of the few women to begin a life in local politics; a time when most women were attempting to break away from the “man over women” stereotype.
The year was 1961, and Luzerne County just appointed their first female register of wills. Her name: Helen A. O’Connor. The position was a tough one for anyone to get in the 60s, especially a female, who was also a widow and a mother of 10 children.
But despite difficulties in life, O’Connor was very successful – she served eight consecutive, four-year terms, retiring in 1994.
But just as every political office term comes to an end, so does human life. The 95-year-old Kingston resident passed away Sunday in the Geisinger Medical Center in Plains Township. “She was an icon in politics in this county,” said Dottie Stankovic, the current register of wills who was elected when O’Connor retired. “She shared every bit of knowledge about the (office) to me, showing me how things should be done.”
Stankovic, of Nanticoke, said she would have never run for register of wills if O’Connor didn’t announce she was retiring in 1994.
“Mrs. O’Connor was the kind a special woman who nobody would have beaten for the position,” Stankovic said. “She was a wonderful lady…her memory will always live on in local politics.”
Stankovic attended a retirement party for O’Connor in 1994 at the Woodlands Inn & Resort in Plains Township. She said she was shocked to see how many people knew O’Connor.
“The place was so full I couldn’t even find a seat,” she said. “Everyone looked up to her and was sorry to see her retire.”
Shortly after the death of her husband, attorney Patrick J. O’Connor, in 1958, O’Connor was appointed to the vacant position, Stankovic said.
Due to her dedication to the office while under such bleak personal circumstances, O’Connor was encouraged to seek a full term in 1961.
“I was told everyone knew she would be elected,” Stankovic said. State Sen. Ralph Musto, D-Pittston Township, said he has known O’Connor since she began working in local politics. “She gave a lifetime of service,” the 78-year-old said. “That’s exactly how she’s done it.” During O’Connor’s 32-year tenure in office, Musto said she was always a hard candidate to beat, which explains why she held office for eight consecutive terms.
“People knew of her great service in office,” Musto said. “Because of that service, her elections were just automatic wins.”
Former Luzerne County Commissioner Frank Trinisewski, who was in office from 1979 to 1992, said he was deeply saddened to hear about O’Connor’s passing Sunday evening.
He said O’Connor was not only a dedicated official to the county, but was also a personal friend of his. “She was just always so pleasant and cheerful and great to be around,” the 60-year-old Wilkes-Barre man said. “She was probably one of the most dedicated officials I have ever met…a true lady.”

LULAC COUNCIL FORUM

So far we have 17 candidates responding to our little clambake on Sunday at Genetti's at 430PM. We are working on the logistics this week, and will make certain all the candidate info we recieved will appear on this site before election. For any late change of plans or questions, contact me via e mail or at 570-821-6152.