Eileen O'Brien

Our Dear Mother has gone home.

Eileen Rae O’Brien, 80, passed away quietly at home on September 15, 2023.  Born in Yonkers, NY in December 1942 to Frederick and Saimi O’Brien. Her wonderfully full life was centered around and all about family. The oldest sister of 8 children – John (Maria), Lillian (Thomas), William (Judy), James (Christinna), Frederick (Doris), Bernard (Freda) and Joseph.

She was loving Mom to Traci (John), Thomas (Nancy), Matthew (Gayle), Lillian (Michael), Aaron (Dawn) and Amanda. An amazing Grandmother to 11 Grandchildren and 4 Great-Grandchildren. Eileen wore many hats over the years including being a proud graduate of CFHS Class of 1961, Cashier, Police Dispatcher and Secretary in the ER and ICU departments of St. Thomas Hospital. Her favorite role, however, was as Mom and Grandma. Eileen was devoted to her parents, and took such wonderful care of her mother for years and during her Mom’s illness.

There are so many stories, which we could tell about Mom and the loving, sometimes zany, household in which we lived. Mom taught us all how to sing loud and love each other more than anything. We learned to speak with eloquence, using “50 cent” words so that we would not be afraid to speak with confidence. She taught us to be kind and humble, because it was important to be so in the world we live in. Mom also taught us the best Finnish curse words, which we still use today with reckless abandon!

Mom, what we wouldn’t give to ... Hold your hand, listening to Roy Orbison and watch one more Keanu Reeves movie... to have one more dinner with you where you make your homemade spaghetti sauce (which is never the same twice...but always excellent) and we kids will fight over who gets the bay leaf...to drive miles and miles out of our way to avoid crossing a bridge...to dance and sing around while we clean the house... to slide around in the back of the station wagon while you take corners a little bit faster so you can hear us giggle....to make you so upset, you go and rattle the kitchen drawers, looking for the wooden spoon and watch us all scatter...to make you one more cup of tea that’s brimming over, so you can tell the maker (whomever it is) that it is the best cup of tea you’ve ever had...to sit quietly with you and bask in the warm glow of the most beautiful Christmas tree, which is lit up and decorated with all of your endless talent and artistry.....and know, in that moment and forever, how much you love us...and we love you.

Be at peace Mom, we’re ok. Save some spaghetti for us...