MaryLesa O’Connor
MaryLesa O’Connor
05/16/2025
MaryLesa Judith O’Connor (Burns) was born on June 12, 1958 in Buffalo, New York to parents Walter and Rose Marie Burns. MaryLesa graduated from Bishop Neumann High School where she made lifelong friends. Afterwards, MaryLesa received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education from Canisius University.
MaryLesa had a lasting impact on the community from her time as a third grade teacher at Saint Gregory the Great and as the Owner of Tony Martin Awards, Inc. MaryLesa has always put others first and has donated to various organizations throughout her life, inspiring and touching the hearts and souls of many.
MaryLesa enjoyed spending time with her close family, her husband Paul, her children Paul and Peter, and her daughter-in-laws Angella and Elizabeth. MaryLesa also loved animals and her many pets throughout the years including her Molly Rose. Whether it was at the beach at the Buffalo Canoe Club or at home, MaryLesa loved spending time with her family above all else. Not a day went by without MaryLesa checking in and providing support to her family and friends.
MaryLesa loved to cook and host family dinner every Sunday. She was famous for her Italian sauce. She would also make food and deliver it to those who needed it and who were going through hard times. Her compassion, understanding, and guidance will be missed by many.
MaryLesa will be deeply missed by all those who knew her. She made all those who met her a better person. Her laughter, joyful, powerful, resilient personality will be missed by all.
Funeral Services were held privately at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be made to Roswell Park Gynecology and Oncology Departments. Online condolences may be placed at www.TheDietrichFuneralHome.com
.One of the enthusiastic young women I had the pleasure to know when teaching at BNHS. Always a smile, ready to step up to help. She was a friend to many.
.One of the enthusiastic young women I had the pleasure to know when teaching at BNHS. Always a smile, ready to step up to help. She was a friend to many.
I would like to send my deepest condolences to the O’Connor family. MaryLesa was a bright light in this world. I just loved her sparkling personality. She was so full of joy and life. May she now rest in peace in the arms of the Lord and may all of you find comfort and peace in all your precious memories of your beautiful wife and mother.
I would like to send my deepest condolences to the O’Connor family. MaryLesa was a bright light in this world. I just loved her sparkling personality. She was so full of joy and life. May she now rest in peace in the arms of the Lord and may all of you find comfort and peace in all your precious memories of your beautiful wife and mother.
So sorry to hear about Mary Lesa. She was a beautiful person. She was so great to the boys during confirmation. My Mike was in her group..So bubbly and kind all the time!! May God Bless her beautiful soul. Big hugs for your family….Carmella Hanley
So sorry to hear about Mary Lesa. She was a beautiful person. She was so great to the boys during confirmation. My Mike was in her group..So bubbly and kind all the time!! May God Bless her beautiful soul. Big hugs for your family….Carmella Hanley
Mary Lesa has been a dear dear friend since early elementary school. She was the most loving person I have ever known. She touched the hearts of everyone she met. She made the world a better place and eveyone she met a better person. I will miss her dearly…
Mary Lesa has been a dear dear friend since early elementary school. She was the most loving person I have ever known. She touched the hearts of everyone she met. She made the world a better place and eveyone she met a better person. I will miss her dearly…
I will always remember Mary Lesa as a vibrant, vivacious member of the Buffalo Canoe Club – a big personality for sure – who stood out among a group of many big personalties! Best, brilliant smile. May she rest in peace and may she remain a presence of love and solace to her family and friends.
I will always remember Mary Lesa as a vibrant, vivacious member of the Buffalo Canoe Club – a big personality for sure – who stood out among a group of many big personalties! Best, brilliant smile. May she rest in peace and may she remain a presence of love and solace to her family and friends.
I’m so saddened to hear that Mary Lesa is gone from this world. She was my friend, and a friend to my parents (Dr. Bernard and Jean Eisenberg). When I worked at Tony Martin’s they were a family to me.
I’m not in the Buffalo area anymore but we kept in touch. She was a special person whom I will miss dearly.y love and condolences to Paul and family. Love, Lori Eisenberg Covert
I’m so saddened to hear that Mary Lesa is gone from this world. She was my friend, and a friend to my parents (Dr. Bernard and Jean Eisenberg). When I worked at Tony Martin’s they were a family to me.
I’m not in the Buffalo area anymore but we kept in touch. She was a special person whom I will miss dearly.y love and condolences to Paul and family. Love, Lori Eisenberg Covert
I am so sorry for your loss. Leah was a dear friend from elementary and middle school. She was so great at staying in touch and even though we rarely ever saw each other she never forgot birthdays or holidays. I would always call her either a month before or a month after her birthday since I could never remember. Through out the years she has been the glue that maintains friendships and memories. She always asked about my family and we always talked about hers.
She was a deeply religious person and strong in her faith, she was a fierce warrior combating her disease, and she maintained her belief that there was purpose in this event. Her commitment to her friends and family is what we loved about her and it is something I can only hope to emulate. Peace my friend Heaven will be a better place with you in it. We however will miss you greatly
I am so sorry for your loss. Leah was a dear friend from elementary and middle school. She was so great at staying in touch and even though we rarely ever saw each other she never forgot birthdays or holidays. I would always call her either a month before or a month after her birthday since I could never remember. Through out the years she has been the glue that maintains friendships and memories. She always asked about my family and we always talked about hers.
She was a deeply religious person and strong in her faith, she was a fierce warrior combating her disease, and she maintained her belief that there was purpose in this event. Her commitment to her friends and family is what we loved about her and it is something I can only hope to emulate. Peace my friend Heaven will be a better place with you in it. We however will miss you greatly
It has taken me this long to actually write a reply to the loss of such a great person. We taught MaryLesa at Bishop Neumann and stayed in touch. I first started getting awards from Tony Martin, her grandfather, when he operated out of his garage. Then her Dad quit his job at the Courier Express to run the business on Cleveland Dr. Then after Lesa and her brother and sister were grown, her mother Rose took over and Lesa left teaching to help her Mom and eventually took over with some dedicated and trusted helpers. Her long and hard struggle with cancer never killed her spirit and she always thought the next trial might be it.
When we met the big laugh we always had, was over her athleticism. I am glad she is brightening heaven because we are missing that smile. MaryLesa, you are at a long deserved rest and at peace. Our prayers and sympathy to the Burns and O’Connor families.
It has taken me this long to actually write a reply to the loss of such a great person. We taught MaryLesa at Bishop Neumann and stayed in touch. I first started getting awards from Tony Martin, her grandfather, when he operated out of his garage. Then her Dad quit his job at the Courier Express to run the business on Cleveland Dr. Then after Lesa and her brother and sister were grown, her mother Rose took over and Lesa left teaching to help her Mom and eventually took over with some dedicated and trusted helpers. Her long and hard struggle with cancer never killed her spirit and she always thought the next trial might be it.
When we met the big laugh we always had, was over her athleticism. I am glad she is brightening heaven because we are missing that smile. MaryLesa, you are at a long deserved rest and at peace. Our prayers and sympathy to the Burns and O’Connor families.
Meg & family….losing a parent is like losing a piece of ourselves. My deepest condolences on this tragic loss.