Mary Cahill O'Brien

Mary Cahill O’Brien, 97, died peacefully on October 12, 2017 at the Atrium, an assisted living community, in North Chelmsford MA. She was born August 13, 1920 in Albany NY and attended St James schools in that city where she was valedictorian of her high school class. She was also formerly a resident of Hamden CT, Melrose MA, and Madison CT.

She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Catherine Walsh Cahill, both immigrants from Ireland, two sisters, Catherine Shepherd and Margaret Oliver, and a nephew, Joseph Oliver. She was also predeceased by her loving husband of 62 years, Clifford O’Brien. They were married in 1944 while he was serving on the battleship USS Alabama after a long distance courtship. He had received special leave as a reward for his actions during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Together, with great love, they raised their four sons, watched their four grandchildren grow, and enjoyed retirement with family and friends in Madison CT and Marco Island FL.  In their later years they returned to their love of big band swing/ballroom dancing, traveling several times a week to dances where they were known to have been extraordinarily talented, even at their advanced ages.

She is survived by four sons, Clifford O’Brien and wife Linda of Milton DE, Clinton O’Brien and wife Susan of North Billerica, MA, Dennis O’Brien and wife Cheryl Dyment of Middleton, MA, and Mark O’Brien of Westford MA, who lovingly cared for her in her final years; four grandchildren, Erin Holden and husband Michael of Westminster MD, Gregory O’Brien and wife Jillian of Grey ME, Scott O’Brien and wife Lauren of Melrose MA, and Michael O’Brien and wife Kathryn of Washington DC; and eight great grandchildren, Carly, Nolan, Audrey, Neve, and Brooks Holden, and Simon, Carson, and Soren O’Brien. She is also survived by two nephews, Howard Shepherd and wife Norma of Cayce SC, Paul Oliver and wife Gabriella of Albany NY, a niece, Marcia Oliver Carswell and husband James of Athens AL, and many grand nephews, nieces, and cousins. A graduate of Albany Business College, she was retired from the Internal Revenue Service, having worked for many years at the JFK Federal Center in Boston.

 Service Information