83R6292 JNC-D
By: Farrar H.R. No. 344
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The passing of community leader Dr. Maconda Brown
O'Connor of Houston on May 19, 2012, brought a profound loss to her
family, her wide circle of friends, and countless Texans whose
lives she touched; and
WHEREAS, A native of the Bayou City, the former Maconda Brown
was born on May 4, 1930, to George and Alice Brown; she attended
Pine Manor College, and after raising her four children, she
returned to school at the age of 51; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Connor graduated from the University of
St. Thomas and went on to earn a master's degree from Smith College,
where she continued her studies and completed her doctorate in
1988; she made her career in social work; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Connor believed that all children deserve
second chances and set up office in a broom closet in one of
Houston's toughest juvenile detention centers in an effort to reach
those most in need; a licensed advanced clinical practitioner, she
also maintained a small private practice to offer therapeutic
services to underprivileged families; and
WHEREAS, Outside of her profession, Dr. O'Connor helped
countless area young people as cofounder of the Houston A+
Challenge and the Greater Houston Collaborative for Children, which
provided early education to nearly 84,000 participants; she further
gave back through her contributions to Harris County Protective
Services, El Hogar de Ninos, the Child Abuse Prevention Network,
the Mental Health Association of Houston and Harris County, and the
Harris County Juvenile Probation Department; and
WHEREAS, Dr. O'Connor demonstrated a commitment to the
greater community as well, sharing her time as a member of the
boards of the Discovery Green Conservancy, the Brookings
Institution, the American Leadership Forum, Baylor College of
Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, The Rice Center for Education,
the University of Houston-Downtown, and the Houston Area Women's
Center; as both president and chair of one of Houston's most
prolific charities, the Brown Foundation, her dedication to helping
people in need was legendary; she also actively supported the
Democratic Party and Emily's List; and
WHEREAS, This loving matriarch shared the richness of her
life with a family that included four children, George, Thomas,
Nancy, and John, nine grandchildren, Ryan, Kelly, Maconda, Nancy,
Andrew, Ralph, Rebecca, Ian, and Charlie, and a
great-granddaughter, Louisa; and
WHEREAS, Unparalleled in her advocacy and activism, Maconda
O'Connor inspired hope while mapping meaningful pathways to success
for future generations; although she will be deeply missed, her
legacy will continue to resonate in her hometown for years to come,
and her memory will be carried in the hearts of the many people
whose lives she touched during her time on this earth; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Maconda Brown
O'Connor and extend deepest sympathy to the members of her family:
to her four children, George O'Connor, Thomas O'Connor, Nancy
Abendshein, and John O'Connor, and their spouses, Lynn O'Connor,
Barbie O'Connor, Mark Abendshein, and Sarah O'Connor; to her nine
grandchildren, Ryan O'Connor and his wife, Amy, Kelly O'Connor,
Maconda Abinader and her husband, Sacha, Nancy O'Connor, Andrew
Abendshein, Ralph Abendshein, Rebecca O'Connor, Ian O'Connor, and
Charlie O'Connor; to her great-granddaughter, Louisa O'Connor; to
her siblings, Nancy Brown Negley, Louisa S. Sarofim, and Mike
Stude; and to her other relatives and many friends; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
Dr. Maconda Brown O'Connor.