Dr. Richard & Helen McConnell

Helen's Story

Helen Marian Byrne McConnell of Kalamazoo died at home on Saturday, June 3, 2023. She was born on October 22, 1937, in Detroit to Helen and Dan Byrne.

Helen graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Detroit in 1955, Newton College of the Sacred Heart (now part of Boston College) in 1959, and Katharine Gibbs School in New York in 1960.

She married Dr. Richard R. McConnell at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit on October 26, 1963, and he survives her. She is also survived by six children: Raymond (Lawrie) McConnell, Trisch (Michael) Lagana, Beth (John) Spargo, Margaret McConnell, Michael (Jennifer) McConnell, and Robert McConnell; 20 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia Jacobs, and sister-in-law, Anne Byrne.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Daniel Byrne, Jr.; brother-in-law, William Jacobs; and her McConnell in-laws: Marjorie (Fred) Orr, Monica (John) Kelly, Isabel (Dan) Kerley, Frank McConnell, Florence Agnes McConnell, Paul (Tean) McConnell, Virginia (Dave) Cotter, Cathryn (Charley) Higgins, Justin McConnell, Joan (Bill) Maxbauer, and Florence Ann (Bert) Kraft.

Richard's Story

Dr. Richard R. McConnell of Kalamazoo died at home on June 6, 2023. He was born on October 23, 1931, in Beal City, Michigan, to Mary and Raymond McConnell and grew up on the family farm in Vernon Township, north of Rosebush.

He graduated from Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart High School in 1949, and attended the University of Notre Dame on a Naval ROTC scholarship, graduating in 1953. After serving as a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and then working for Dow Chemical in Bay City, he graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1960, and worked as a physician for Kalamazoo Radiology from 1964 until his retirement in 1996.

He married Helen Marian Byrne at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit on October 26, 1963. She preceded him in death by three days. He is survived by six children: Raymond (Lawrie) McConnell, Trisch (Michael) Lagana, Beth (John) Spargo, Margaret McConnell, Michael (Jennifer) McConnell, and Robert McConnell; 20 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Patricia Jacobs and Anne Byrne.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by 11 siblings: Marjorie (Fred) Orr, Monica (John) Kelly, Isabel (Dan) Kerley, Frank McConnell, Florence Agnes McConnell, Paul (Tean) McConnell, Virginia (Dave) Cotter, Cathryn (Charley) Higgins, Justin McConnell, Joan (Bill) Maxbauer, Florence Ann (Bert) Kraft; and two brothers-in-law: William Jacobs and Daniel Byrne.

In addition to being the last surviving of his siblings, Richard was also the last surviving of the 53 McConnell cousins in his generation, the eldest of whom, Cornelius O’Sullivan, was born in 1893. He is also the last surviving of 36 O’Connell first cousins who came from a farm in Hubbardston, Michigan, so it is truly the end of an era in our family.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation where food, drinks, and stories will be shared on Sunday (June 11) from 3-5 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A Rosary will be prayed at 5 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated by Rev. Russell Homic; Rev. Robert Consani; and his nephews, Rev. John Cotter and Rev. Raymond Cotter on Monday (June 12) at 11 am at St. Monica Catholic Church, 4408 S. Westnedge Ave. Burial will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI. Visit Richard’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign his guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Monica Church.