Annelise “Lise” Koennecke O’Hara, 61, of Elmira, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. She was born April 7, 1961, in Oneida to Albert and Ruth Anne Koennecke. Lise was a graduate of Cazenovia High School in 1979 and earned her master’s degree in information science from Mansfield University. She recently retired from the Elmira City School District where she had been employed as a librarian and elementary school teacher having taught at the Pine City Elementary School and Broadway Elementary School. Lise was a former communicant of St. James Church in Cazenovia and, in her free time, she enjoyed gardening and reading.
Annelise is survived by her husband of 34 years, Thomas O’Hara of Elmira; her sons, Jeffrey and Benjamin O’Hara both of Elmira; her daughter, Bethany O’Hara of Syracuse; her siblings, Marlene Lentz of Kennesaw, GA, Martin (Susan) Koennecke of Cazenovia, Kevin (Kim) Koennecke of Cazenovia, Kristina (Jose) Nunez of Cazenovia, Laura (James Moore) Koennecke of Niskayuna, Carl (Amanda) Koennecke of Delmar and Sheryl (Charles) Davis of Cazenovia as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Lise was predeceased by her brother, Kurt Koennecke.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, at St. James Church, 6 Green St., Cazenovia. Burial will be in the spring at St. James Cemetery, Cazenovia. Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, at Michael E. Brown Funeral Services, 2333 Fenner Road in Cazenovia. Contributions in memory of Mrs. O’Hara can be made to the Family Reading Partnership of Chemung Valley at familyreadingpartnership.org. Condolences for the O’Hara family may be left at michaelebrownfuneralservices.com.