Celeste Susanne Maris

Born October 31, 1949, at NAS Whidbey in Oak Harbor, Washington, to William L. and Marietta (Ericksen) Maris, Celeste grew up in a Navy family, moving often, living and attending schools in Hawaii, Washington, and Japan before graduating from Lemoore High School in California. Determined to pursue higher education and apply her sharp intellect in math and French, she overcame significant challenges—taking a two-hour bus ride each way to attend Coalinga College while ensuring she was home to keep her mother company during her father’s deployments.

After relocating to Olympia, Washington, Celeste began a distinguished 30 + year career with the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). Celeste advanced to leadership roles managing statewide judicial systems. Her expertise and dedication shaped critical Judicial Information update projects and modernized court technology before her retirement in 2013. It was at work in 1987 when Celeste met her future husband, John O’Conner, while serving on an AOC team interviewing John.

In April 1991, Celeste married John at St. Michael Parish. Soon after marrying, they joined the St. Michael Parish music community, sharing their voices and talents—John with instruments and Celeste singing tenor, occasionally alto. Her organizational skills and compassion were evident in the support she gave two blind choir members: each week, she prepared song texts, scripture readings,

and Mass prayers so they could braille them and fully participate. This thoughtful effort reflected her deep commitment to music and inclusion within the parish. In addition, for seven years, they coordinated St. Michael Parish wedding liturgies, guiding 107 couples through their special day

Celeste was deeply involved in JustFaith Ministries at local, regional, and national levels. She facilitated small group programs at her parish, helped organize regional gatherings across the Archdiocese, and served on national advisory boards, traveling to Louisville for meetings. Often joined by John, the two provided music ministry for many events. Known for her attention to detail and strong administrative skills, Celeste was a faithful and generous presence in countless ways.

For over a decade, Celeste was a devoted member of the Quilts of Valor Stars and Stripes group in Olympia, creating quilts to honor veterans and active-duty service members. She helped build a strong partnership with the Nisqually Indian Tribe, ensuring their veterans were recognized at annual Veterans Day events. Combining creativity with technical skill, she developed a website and Google Drive to share patterns and resources, strengthening the group’s mission and bringing comfort to countless service members.

Together, Celeste and John shared a love of family, music, nature, and community. Though they were unable to have children, Celeste and John embraced their parish family, serving as godparents to Marissa, Ryan, Eliana, and Aidan—a blessing in their lives.

Celeste passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, December 23, at Swedish Hospital while being treated for Richter’s Transformed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband John, her parents, and her brother James Maris. She is survived by her brother William T. (Kit) Maris; nephew William J. (Paula) Maris; niece Heather (Ted) Radke; and great nieces and nephews Celia, Will, Seneca, and Greydon.

A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, January 12, at 12:00 noon at St. Michael Parish, 1055 Boundary St SE, Olympia, WA. A funeral lunch will follow at the church. At 2:30 p.m., her ashes will be placed with John in the columbarium at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Tumwater.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a cause you fiercely believe in.