Margaret had a rich full life as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, nurse anesthetist, elected official and community volunteer. She was born (a twin) on March 16, 1926, in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Harry and Jennie Tilley and one of nine siblings. She attended high school in Omaha where she excelled at swimming, earning a Nebraska state champion title, which marked a lifelong love of the sport. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing education from Creighton University, where she met her future husband, the late Dr. O’Connor. She also earned a certification as a nurse anesthetist from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.