Ethelyn Lucille MacKenzie Schaffner Connor

Ethelyn Lucille MacKenzie Schaffner Connor, the "Tree Lady" of Ocean Springs, who worked tirelessly throughout her life for the beautification and historic heritage of her community, died on July 21 in Ocean Springs. She was 97. Mrs. Connor was devoted to a number of initiatives including the annual celebration of the 1699 d'Iberville Landing, restoration of Marble Springs, and the planting of hundreds of oak trees throughout her city. Born on March 3, 1916, in New Orleans, La., Mrs. Connor was the first of three daughters of the late Charles Peter MacKenzie (1893-1985) and Ethel Elizabeth Bertheaud-MacKenzie (1896-1936) of New Orleans. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Philippe Valentin Louis Schaffner (1908-1936) and former Ocean Springs Mayor Donald Lawrence ‘Pat’ Connor (1912-1982), and her sister, Betty Cleland MacKenzie-Cocreham (1923-2007). She was most proud of her family and leaves behind: a sister, Doris Bertheaud MacKenzie-deArmas of Covington, La.; four children, Philip MacKenzie Schaffner (Rebecca Lee) of Summerville, S.C., Charles Henri Schaffner (Virginia 'Toni' DeFrank) of Little Rock, Ark., Ethelyn Patricia Connor-Joachim (George Sustendal) of Ocean Springs, and Donald Lawrence Connor, Jr. (Elizabeth Turberville) of New Orleans, La.; ten grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs, where she faithfully attended the Loyalty Sunday School Class. In 1946, Ethelyn and D. L. ‘Pat’ Connor and family moved from New Orleans to "Conamore" on Lovers' Lane in Ocean Springs. "Conamore" had served as the Connor family's summer vacation retreat since 1923. The family quickly acclimated themselves to the Ocean Springs-Gulf Coast community. Mrs. Connor supported her late husband with his work and community activities and focused on the education of their four children. After the children completed their schooling, Mrs. Connor became more involved in community activities, many of which were in support of projects of her husband who was mayor of Ocean Springs for eight years and active with many other local and regional planning entities, including service as chairman of Gulf Regional Planning Commission. Her energy was boundless as she served as: founder and chairman of the Society Des Arbres, active member of Keep Mississippi Beautiful, president of Ocean Springs Garden Club, charter member and president of the 1699 Historical Committee, chairman of the d’Iberville and Bienville Landing and Fort Maurepas celebrations, charter member of the Walter Anderson Players and Friends of the Walter Anderson Museum, and member of the Urban and Community Forestry Foundation. Her efforts led to Ocean Springs' designation as the "Daylily City." She was responsible for the planting of hundreds of Live Oak Trees along Highway 90 in memory of Mayor Connor, the restoration of the Marble Springs historical site, and restoration of the city’s 1699 old jail. She was a member of Ocean Springs Genealogical Society, Gulf Coast Community Concert Association, Gulf Coast Arts Council, and Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce. Numerous recognitions and honors came her way, including: a proclamation declaring March 3, 2008 as Mrs. Ethelyn Connor Day; Grand Marshal, Ocean Springs Fireman’s Day Parade; 1699 Historical Society Honor Award, Outstanding Achievement Award for Keep Mississippi Beautiful, Conservation Education Award, Urban and Community Forestry Award, and the Keep Ocean Springs Beautiful Award. Ocean Springs and the Mississippi Gulf Coast will sadly miss this very active and community loving lady! The family would like to thank Dr. Brad Heitzman and his staff for many years of excellent care, Hospice of Light and Ferguson Personal Care Home – Gloria, Bobbie and Daryl for compassionate loving care. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at St. Paul United Methodist Church Downtown. Friends may visit 11:30 a.m. until service time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Mrs. Connor's memory to the St. Paul United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, P. O. Box 909, Ocean Springs, MS 39566 and the Ocean Springs Garden Club, 3229 Cumberland Blvd., Ocean Springs, MS 39564.