Sara Jean Calonkey died in her home on January 10, 2017. She was born in Norman, Oklahoma on July 3, 1928 to Dorothy Synnott Landsaw and James Robert Landsaw. Her grandparents were Sarah Nolan Synnott and William R. Synnott, pioneer residents of Norman. Her public and parochial school days were in Norman; however, she graduated from high school at Monticello College Preparatory School in Alton, Illinois.
After high school, she enrolled at the University of Oklahoma in 1947 where she became a member of Pi Beta Phi, holding major offices all four years of college. She had the following collegiate activities: Outstanding Senior Woman; Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities; Mortar Board; Associate Editor of the Sooner yearbook; publications board; and Panhellenic Council. After graduation, she spent another 24 years on Pi Beta Phi boards including AAC and House Corporation. In 1950, she married Robert F. (Bob) Calonkey, a fellow graduate she met at OU following his return from WWII. Sara Jean was a proud Sooner and lifetime member of the University of Oklahoma Alumni Association.
In 1958, Bob and Sara Jean opened Mister Robert Fine Furniture, still an anchor in downtown Norman to this day. All four of their children, Steve, Ellen, Keven and Tim, worked in the store full time after their own college graduations. She was a lifelong Catholic and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Norman.
Her parents Dorothy and J.R. Landsaw and her sister Ellen Millington precede Sara Jean in death. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Bob Calonkey. Other survivors include: son Steve and his wife Susy and their two children Robert and Katelynn; daughter Ellen Calonkey Bones and her son Dr. Paul Bones and his wife Bradlin; daughter Keven Calonkey Carl and her husband John and their two daughters Sara Mongold and her husband Gray, and great-granddaughter Emma Mongold, and Caroline Carl; and son Timothy Patrick Calonkey. Other surviving relatives include her brother Bob Landsaw and wife Ruthie and brother-in-law Seth Millington, as well as many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested for the St. Vincent DePaul Society in care of St. Joseph Catholic Church P.O. Box 1227, Norman, 73070) or to the charity of your choice.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
4:00 - 6:00 pm (Central time)
Tribute Memorial Care
Monday, January 16, 2017
Starts at 6:00 pm (Central time)
The Chapel at St. Joseph Catholic Church
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Visits: 7
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