Cornelia Anne O'Grady

Cornelia Anne (Toben) O’Grady died on Monday, October 5, 2026, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 67 years, Joseph P. O’Grady.

“Connie” was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, on October 16, 1935, to Theodore Justin Toben and Helen (Monihan) Toben. She and her late brother, Ted, a decorated Marine helicopter pilot whom she loved dearly, grew up in Drexel Hill. 

She attended St. Andrew the Apostle, Holy Child Academy, and earned an Associate Degree from Gwynedd Mercy College. While performing in a play at Gwynedd, she met Joe, the love of her life. They married in April 1959 and raised five children in Havertown and Newtown Square, where they were vital members of Annunciation and St. Anastasia parishes.

Above all, Connie dedicated her life to family and community. A devoted daughter and niece, she welcomed her mother, Helen, and her Aunt Nan into her home and cared for them in their final days. While Joe taught history at LaSalle University and served in the U.S. Army Reserve, Connie ran their busy household. She packed brown-bag lunches every school day for nearly 20 years, and any child who forgot one could expect her to bring it to them at the bus stop in her robe. When the education she and Joe wanted for their children called for more, she returned to work as a medical secretary. After she retired, she served her parishes as a Eucharistic minister and her community as a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

She was one of the epicenters of a Philadelphia story of the Toben, O’Grady, Gallagher, Monihan, Napoli and Hobson families that continues to play out after five generations. She delighted in being called “Tobie” by her 15 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She is a central figure in the stories they continue to tell.

Connie liked to be on the beach by 11:00 AM and would happily stay until Joe brought cocktails for her and her circle of friends and family as the sun went down. She never saw a bridge game she wouldn’t join. While she gave it up in her teens, in her 60’s she took up tap dancing again.

Mom was modest about herself, but certain of everyone else. She had strong opinions and would not be told she shouldn’t have one or shouldn’t voice it. She kept friends from elementary school, high school and college for a lifetime, all while making new ones wherever she went. There was a seat for everyone, especially during the holidays. The first time you came to dinner at her house, she sat you beside her. She wanted to get to know you, she wanted to make you comfortable. Especially during the holidays, whether she’d known you for years or just met you, she made sure you had a place at her table.

For a kid from Sharon, PA she saw more than a good deal of the world - visiting family and friends in Ireland, England, Wales, France, Italy, Poland, Brazil and Sweden; up and down the East Coast; and in California and Texas. Nonetheless, befitting her Philadelphia story, her funeral Mass will be celebrated in the parish where she grew up, went to school, and married Joe.

Connie was the loving mother of J. Patrick O’Grady, Jr. (Alicia), Karen O’Grady Manners (William A. Manners, Sr.), Noreen O’Grady (John C. Tribble), Michelle O’Grady King (Charles King) and Michael J. O’Grady (Orsolya Lazar); dear sister of the late Theodore and Kathleen (née Keenan) Toben; devoted grandmother of Bridget Green (Andrew), Colleen Couture (Nathaniel), J. Patrick O’Grady III; Christine Gonsiewski (Adam), W. Alexander Manners (Kathryn Hudson), Diana Manners; David Tribble, Matthias Tribble; Collette King, Courtney King, Emily King, Jacqueline King, Claire King; Corvin O’Grady, Greta O’Grady; and great-grandmother of Camille, Lucy and Connor Green; Nolan, Luke and Miles Gonsiewski; and Christopher Couture.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing 6:00-8:00 PM, Monday, October 19, 2026 at The Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby Township, PA, 610-449-0300 and 9:30-10:15 AM, Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at St. Andrew the Apostle Church 3500 School Ln, Drexel Hill, PA 19026, followed by her Funeral Mass 10:30 AM. Int. Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Cornelia “Connie” O’Grady to Ministry of Caring, 115 East 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 190801-3209 will be much appreciated.