Mary Ellen O’Brien, 78, of Darien passed away on Feb. 9 at Stamford Hospital.
Mary Ellen O’Brien, 78, passed away on Feb. 9. Her wake will take place on Sunday; her funeral, Monday.
Born on Oct. 12, 1938 in Teaneck, N.J., she was the daughter of the late James and Celestia Roe.
After graduating from the Academy of the Holy Angels in Fort Lee, N.J., Mary Ellen attended Caldwell College in Caldwell, N.J., then worked in publishing in New York City.
She married Daniel H. O’Brien of Darien in June of 1965. Daniel and Mary Ellen lived together in Darien for the past 51 years, where they successfully raised three boys, and she managed a home (and sometimes two) and worked as a bookkeeper for Hathaway, Reiser & Raymond in Stamford.
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— an obituary from Edward Lawrence Funeral Home
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From an early age Mary Ellen loved the beach and the water, spending many summer days at the Jersey Shore with her friends and family. After getting married, her love of the ocean grew stronger, and she enjoyed spending her weekends and summer vacations with her family boating on Long Island Sound.
Although she maintained other family homes in New Hampshire and Vermont throughout her life, she never grew tired of her home in Darien and the allure of New York City.
Mary Ellen also enjoyed gardening, decorating, cooking and entertaining. Most of all, she loved her family and was always putting the needs of others in front of her own, which is something we will always miss but will endeavor to carry on.
She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Daniel O’Brien; sons James M. O’Brien; Daniel H. O’Brien, Jr. and his wife Nancy and William P. O’Brien and his wife Sheila.
Mary Ellen also has two sisters, Celestia Diegmann and Patricia Neulen and her husband Cameron. In addition, she is survived by eight wonderful grandchildren whom she loved dearly, and who in return graciously accepted being spoiled by her whenever the opportunity presented itself (which was often).
A wake will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 13 at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Stamford Hospital Foundation, 1351 Washington Blvd., #202, Stamford, CT 06902 or to Darien Emergency Medical Services/Post 53, P. O. Box 2066, Darien, CT 06820.