O'Brien, Catherine Cecilia
Catherine Cecilia O'Brien, 95 , died 08/24/2008 in her home, peacefully, surrounded by her family, including her six children and their spouses and their twenty-four grandchildren and great grandchildren. Catherine lived in Allamuchy, (Panther Valley), NJ, coming from River Edge and Teaneck, NJ and was born in Bogota, NJ on 03/15/1913.
Husband/Wife of: the late George O'Brien
Son/Daughter of: the late Paul and Ellen (Baxter) Kirschner
Survived By: Son- Bob and wife Annette of Boston, MA and Coatsville, PA
Son- George and wife Kathy of Harrington Park, NJ
Son- Paul and wife Sue of Basking Ridge, NJ
Son- Jerry and wife Karen of Green Township, NJ
Son- Tom and wife Joan of Allamuchy, NJ
Daughter- Kathy and husband Francois Mayrand of Allamuchy, NJ
Brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Dee O'Brien of Franklin Lakes, NJ and Boynton Beach, Fl
Nineteen grandchildren, Five great grandchildren, five nieces and nephews, several cousins and countless friends
She was predeceased by her father, Paul, her mother Ellen, her husband of almost 50 years George, her sister Dolores Hayek, her brother Rev. Paul Kirchner, O.Carm, her beloved Aunts Rose and Loretta and Aunts Katie and Mary from Lancaster, PA, with whom she stayed each summer as a child; and her dear departed great grandson, Liam Robert Lawson.
Occupation: Kay worked for Safeco Insurnace Co. in River Edge, NJ for more than 20 years. She started in the Claims Department and retired as Personnel Director. She was honored for her outstanding service by the Insurance Women of Northern New Jersey.
Veteran Info: N/A
Additional Information: Always a truly spiritual person, in her final weeks and days Kay had the opportunity to share her final thoughts and memories and to impart her last words of love and encouragement to all of those for whom she had been such a continuing inspiration throughout her life. In 1940, Kay married her beloved husband, George O'Brien, of Ridgefield Park, who was Superintendant of Union Dry Dock and Repair Company in Weehawken. Kay and George lived in Teaneck before moving to River Edge in 1945, where they raised their 5 sons and 1 daughter. The O'Briens were among the founding families of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, where all of their children attended elementary school. When her children were older, Kay resumed her professional career in 1957 when she joined Safeco Insurance Company. After their retirements, Kay and George relocated in 1979 to Panther Valley in Allamuchy, NJ; they also owned a second home in Hobe Sound, Florida. In addition to her daily prayer and other religious activities, Kay particularly enjoyed politics, sports and games. She was looking forward to the upcoming presidential elections, which she followed closely, and to the progress of the New York Yankees, which she followed even more closely. Never just the spectator, Kay played volleyball and rode horses in her younger days; and she played tennis in her eighties and golf into her nineties. She was also an enthusiast for bridge and other card games, and to the very end of her life, she did crosswords and jumbles on a daily basis. In sum, Kay O'Brien led a remarkably faithful, fulfilled, joyful and productive life, for which both she and her large family and many friends have always been appreciative. She had faith that things would work out for the best, as she always reminded us; and indeed they did.
Visitation: Wednesday, 08/27/2008 from 4:00-9:00PM at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High St., Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Services: Mass will be celebrated at 10:30AM, Thursday, 08/28/2008- Our Lady of the Mountain Church, Schooley's Mt.
In Lieu of Flowers: It was Kay O'Brien's wish that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory and in loving memory of her dear departed great grandson, to Liam's Foundation for Pediatric Palliative Care, 672 East Reeceville Road, Coatesville, PA 19320. For information see, liamsfoundation.org. The O'Brien family is also most grateful to Vitas Hospice and their exceptionally caring and competent staff who took a very personal interest in providing home services and support to our mother in her final weeks of life
Interment: Pequest Union Cemetery, Great Meadows, NJ