Carrie Lynn O'Connor

Carrie Lynn (née Sirles) O’Connor, 54, of Lexington passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. She was born to Linda Lou (née Troutman) Sirles and the late Joseph Anthony “Tony” Sirles on October 30, 1971, in Harlan County, Kentucky.

Carrie was a graduate of Lafayette High School in Lexington, class of 1989, where she was a member of the Lafayette High School “Pride of The Bluegrass” Marching Band. Carrie studied music at the University of Miami Frost School of Music in Coral Gables, Florida where she also marched in the University of Miami “Band of the Hour.” It was during this time that Carrie was also initiated into the Sigma Alpha Iota Women’s Professional Music Fraternity, which would have a deep impact on her life well past college.

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Music, Carrie spent a semester at the University of Kentucky in Lexington where she also became a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. She then returned to Coral Gables to study law at the University of Miami School of Law, earning a JD, as well as spending a semester abroad studying comparative law at The Trinity School Dublin, in Ireland.

Over the course of her adult life, Carrie was admitted to both the Illinois and Kentucky state Bars as an attorney, most recently working at the Britton and Johnson Law Firm in Lexington. Carrie had a stint as a pianist at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She also held numerous regional positions with SAI in both Kentucky and California. SAI was a significant part of her life and gifted her with numerous deep bonds with other women from all over the country. Carrie also gave her time to Delta Zeta including as a house mother with the local Delta Zeta chapter at UK.

Carrie returned to her marching roots when her children, L and Ainsley, also participated in the Lafayette Pride of The Bluegrass marching band serving as a chaperone for all seven years of the kids’ involvement, never missing an event even as she battled her illness. She was known in the band community as deeply dedicated and possessing an unwavering love of the activity. She also served as a board member for the Lafayette Band Association as well as the Lafayette Choir.

Carrie will be remembered for her joy of music, her kindness, and her warmth of spirit. She was a fierce friend, a dedicated mentor, and a profoundly proud mother.

In addition to her mother, Carrie is survived by her children, L O’Connor and Ainsley O’Connor; brothers, Michael Timothy “Tim” Sirles (Rebecca) and Justin Thomas Sirles (Amy); and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Carrie received special care from L and Ainsley’s father, Justin O’Connor, and their stepmother, Rachel Buxbaum.

Services celebrating Carrie’s life will be held on Friday, July 10th at Clark Legacy Center-Brannon Crossing. The visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m., followed by a special ceremony at 4:30 p.m. A celebration-of-life gathering with refreshments will take place immediately after the ceremony and will conclude at 7:00 p.m. Carrie specifically requested that no dark colors be worn by those attending her services and that pink and red, while not required, are preferred.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood to your local blood bank. Carrie would also like all of us to honor her by participating in regular screenings for colon cancer.