Johanna O'Brien Obituary

Mom-

So much time has gone by but still seems like it was yesterday! Think of you everyday.

Maureen & Tom

Wow - how the time flies by. It will be 6 years tomorrow - that dreadful day when you were taken from us. So much has changed. Some joyful, some not so.

We speak of you and Dad often. You are together now which is what you both wanted. We stay close as you taught us the value of family and dear friends. This, along with Brendan and Ian continue to be my strength. I/we wish I had you both here, more now than ever.

The boys are growing into "fine young lads" as you called them. You would be so pround of all your grandchildren. They are all amazing and special in their own way.

Miss you yesterday, today and tomorrow even more.

All Our Love,
Margaret, Brendan and Ian

Mom-
Your birthday present is on its way! We know that our job is now completed, he is all yours! Enjoy!

Maureen & Tom

Hi Ma - you got your B-Day wish. I hope you both a dancing a waltz!

Love,
Margaret

Hi Ma - Happy B-Day. Miss you everday!

Love,
Margaret, Ed, Brendan and Ian
xoxoxoxo

Mom-
This Sunday Mags, Eileen, Laura and the kids will be participating in a walk to find a cure for Sarcoidosis. Hopefully we all make it to the finish line without any blisters!

Happy Birthday to you!

Love Maureen

It's been a while - but please know that I think of you every single day. We miss you more each day......hard to believe it's been almost 5 years.

The boys are getting big and they miss you dearly. We speak of you often and they always pray for you at school.

Miss you and Love you!
Margaret, Ed, Brendan and Ian

Hi Mom-

Happy Birthday! Hope you enjoy the roses I cut from the yard.

Miss you!

Love Maureen & Tom

Hi Mom - Still missing you as much as ever. The boys and I were out to see your grave the other day. The sun was shining and the boys were talking about how much they miss you.

Ian is often found in the living room kissing your picture. It's priceless. Brendan made is 1st communion last weekend - you would have been so proud....he looked like such a big man in his suit.

Love you and miss you more and more each day.

Love,
Margaret, Ed, Brendan & Ian

Hi Mom-

Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day! Hope you enjoy your decorations we left yesterday. Claire did a great job of trimming the grass and decorating with more pine cones.

Miss you tons!

Mom-

Just wanted to wish you a Happy Valentines Day!

I know you are our Guardian Angel, but can you talk to the Big Guy up there and have him send us a miracle for Kelly Malecki.

Love you Mom!

Maureen

Ma-

Merry Christmas. We miss you.

Love-

Tom, Maureen & Tim

Hey Ma,

It's that time again, another holiday without you. We miss you more and more.

I know you would be looking forward to this day - the kids, the food, the laughs......wish you were with us.

Love you and miss you dearly,

Margaret, Ed, Brendan & Ian

Ma,

So here we are, three years later and it still is hard to write. We are always thinking of you and talking about you. Dad is doing well, thank God. He's strong as a horse. He loves spending time with the boys, so I do my best to see him as much as possible.

Love you and miss you more each day!

Margaret, Ed, Brendan and Ian

Mom,
Memories of you live on in all of our hearts. I know you are watching down on all of us. Life is not the same without you. We all miss you so much.
Forever missing you,
John, Bev, Kevin & MIchael

Mom-

How quickly time passes, three years have gone so fast. We miss you every day more and more.

There is never a conversation between Mags, Eileen and I where you are not mentioned, especially when it comes to the kids. They always ask about you. Ma, you would be loving the heck out of all of them, they are all characters in their own way!

Just so you know, Ian is everything you would wish for Margaret to have, he is just like her in every way! He told me in church the other day that he sees you everyday. I think that is because you are keeping an eye on that Rascal.

Miss you TONS!

Maureen & Tom

Mom-

Happy Birthday!

Hope you enjoyed your celebration! It was a beautiful day.

Miss you alot!

Love

Maureen & Tom

Mom - Today would be the day after your 80th Birthday Bash and your 52nd Wedding Anniversay. These days would have been filled with celebration, family, friends, food and drink. Instead, we spent the day at the cemetery, wishing we were anywhere but there.

We all miss you greatly. The kids are growing up so fast - they are all such beautiful kids and the rest turning in to great adults.

We love you and miss you more and more each day. It does not get easier with time...

All our Love,

Margaret, Ed, Brendan & Ian

Happy Mother's Day to the Greatest Mom that ever lived!

We all miss you so much. Things are not and will never be the same - especially Mother's Day. I missed you last weekend for the Communion but I know you didn't miss a thing. I think of you every day. You will always be part of us and our kids.

Happy Mother's Day.
All my love,
Eileen

Mom-

Happy Mother's Day! We miss you very much.

So much has been going on within the last few months. I got married and Claire made her communion. You would of been so proud of Claire in her awesome Irish Communion dress. She was the bell of the ball.



All our love!

Maureen & Tom

Mom-

Tom and I visited the cemetary yesterday. We cut off part of our own fresh Chrismas tree branches and laid them on your grave. Hope you enjoy them!

Wish you were here to enjoy these holidays with us, but I am sure you are having your own holiday too.

All our Love
Maureen, Tom & Tim

Mom, Christmas is just around the corner. You'd be wrapping the hundreds of packages you bought for the kids! We miss you so much.

Just the other day, Ian was having a bad day and starting crying and asking for you. It's been two years and he's only 5 yrs and what an impact you had on him....just as you did with the rest of us.

We Love You & Miss you Mom.

All Our Love,

Margaret, Ed, Brendan & Ian

Mom: Even though I still talk to you each day, it's not or never will be the same down here without you. I miss my "go-to" girl! You were always there to listen. That's what I miss most. Thank you for watching out for all of us.

Love, Eileen

Mom-

Who would of thought that time really does go by so fast! Miss you more everyday.

Maureen

Mom - it's been two years now that you were taken from us. We still cannot get over it. We miss you more and more each day.

We miss you so very much.

Love,

Margaret, Ed, Brendan & Ian

Happy Birthday Mom! We love you and miss you more every day.
John, Beverly, Kevin, and Michael

Mom-

Happy Birthday! We miss you very much.

Love Maureen, Tom and Tim

Happy Birthday Mom. We miss you so much day after day. People say that it gets easier with time, but it's not true.

We love you and miss you so much,

Margaret, Ed, Brendan and Ian

Hi Mom-



Wells, things are finally settling down here in our new home. As you know, Tom had to have surgery but is doing really well. As Mags said to me, "Things happen so you realize what is more important in life" I now know what she means. We have to be thankful for what we have.



Love you and miss you more everyday. Wish you were here.



M

Missing you more every day!

Dear Mom,



I just wanted to share with you the boy's first day of school. Needless to say, they looked handsome as ever. Ian was a good boy and he said his favorite part of the school day was "walking out". Brendan started 1st grade and is getting bigger by the minute.



They are growing so fast and are becoming "fine young boys" as you would say. I wish you were here to share these special moments with us. Knowing that you are looking down on us is a comfort we all keep.



Miss you a bunch. Things are crazy in life so we all ask that you keep sending us your blessings.



Love you,



Margaret

A Mother



The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long way?" she asked.

And the guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard, and you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years.

So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."

Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary.

But at all times she said to the children, "A little patience and we are there."

So the children climbed, and when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."

And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today I have given them strength."

And the next day came strange clouds that darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light."

And the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent.

But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide.

And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them."

And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still."

Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks, she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well.

Your Mother lives inside your laughter and she's crystallized in every teardrop. She's the place you came from, your first home; And she's the map you follow with every step you take.

She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you...Not time...not space...not even death.

I've been thinking about you all day (again). Today was one of those days that I would've have called you to chat, ask for your advice, comfort, reassurance, support and your never ending love. I think of you constantly.



I hope you are looking down on me/us today with a smile. Please help in making things happen that need to and keep us safe from things that shouldn't.



I love you more and more each day.

Hey Ma, we're back safe and sound. We had an absolute BLAST! We made the rounds to all the relatives who are all keeping well.



We traveled to Doonties on a rainy afternoon. As we arrived, the sun came out and shined bright as ever along with the most incredible rainbow we've ever seen. As Doonties being your favorite place on earth, we know you were there with us. It was unbelievable.



Brendan and Ian loved Ireland. They milked cows, met "Paddy" the donkey and helped James with the eggs at the hen farm.



We miss you so much.



Love,



Margaret

Hi Mom it's Me!



I know you know how much we all wish you were with us today! You'll be smiling down on us as you see your dream of your grandchildren visiting your home. Please keep us all safe.



Love you - Eileen

Hey Ma,



Tomorrow's the day! We fly out on Aer Lingus at 7:00pm. The boys are absolutely beside themselves with excitement. Ian thinks he has to leave the planet to get to Ireland. As I promised, Brendan and Ian will see the extraordinary place you always told them about. They really do know how much Ireland meant to you.



As we take this journey together, we will think of you every step as you are always in our hearts. Please watch down on us for a safe and happy trip. We all miss you terribly.



All Our Love,

Margaret, Ed, Brendan and Ian

Hi Nana:



It's Claire! I just wanted you to know that we are going to Ireland really soon. Everybody misses you and so do I. We're just going to Ireland because we know you wanted us all to go there someday. I can't wait to see pigs. We will think of you the whole time we are there. Mommy is going to write a journal to you about Ireland. Bye for now.



Love, Claire

Hi Mom-



Just want to say Thanks for listening to me these past few days, you are probably tired of me talking by now! These past few days have been very difficult, I guess you can call them growing pains. I know that you are working your magic because there are people coming to look at the house today and tomorrow. Thanks Mom!



Miss you!



Maureen

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !

Thinking of you always.

Love you and miss you lots,

John, Bev, Kevin, and Mike

Ma - Dad got bit in the arse by a dog! I know you would find that very funny!



We are all looking forward to our trip to Ireland in June. The boys are anxious to see "Nana's favorite place in the whole world".



Miss you more and more each day!



All our love,

Margaret, Ed, Brendan and Ian

HI NANA



I MISS YOU!! SO DOES MAMA AND DADA. I AM ON SPRING BREAK. WE ARE HAVING SO MUCH FUN. I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE'RE GOING TO IRELAND. I MISS YOU.



LOVE, CLAIRE

Mom: A lot of things have been going on around here. Wish you were here to keep them all in perspective.



I read something today and have to believe that it's true....



"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy."



Are you? I sure hope so. Things will never be the same. We are still trying to find our way down here without you. It hurts so much to think of all the things you will miss... especially our upcoming trip. Claire has her dairy ready to go. She is going to write all about the home that Grandma grew up in and the country that she loved so much. I know you'll be guiding us along.



I'll talk to you again soon as I do each night before I close my eyes.



All my love,

Eileen

Mom-



Be on the lookout for Greg, he is on his way to see you! Today was his funeral.







Maureen

Josie-



The months continue to fly . . . but losing you remains paniful each day to your family and friends. Your children, as painful as it is, cotinue to remain strong for the sake of your grandchildren. Speaking of grandchild, my how they are growing leaps and bounds . . . such beautiful grandchildren (it must be the Galvin side)! If there is anything I can promise, I promise you this, that I will remain to be a loyal friend to your family for as long as they are willing to have John and me around.



Love You and Miss You -



Virg



P. S. For Christmas, I received a pair of your lovely Waterford candle holders. I cried like a baby when I opened them and fondly think of you when I use them.

Hi Mom-



Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and how much I miss you. As you already know, Tom and I got engaged before Christmas. (I know you had something to do with that!) I wish you could of met him, he's the best. We are hoping to get married around St. Paddy's day next year.



Thanks Mom!



I love you!



Maureen

Miss you Ma

Hey Ma-



Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas! We all miss you very much.



Maureen

Mom, it's a year today that I received the call at work to come to the hospital right away. Despite you leaving us, I am so very thankful that I was able to tell you that I Love You, say Goodbye and thank you for all you've done for me and for your never-ending unconditional love. I miss you more and more each day. You will always be loved and remembered.



Brendan and Ian speak of you often especially after a visit to the cemetary. They are getting so big and you would be so proud of them.



Mom, I love you a ton and miss you even more!



Margaret

Dear dear Josie,

I can't believe a year has gone by, yet the pain from the loss of you is still very fresh. We all miss you and think of you everyday.

Kevin just got his first job and Mike just did a project at school on the loss of his grandma-you would have liked it. We miss your phone calls ,your visits, but most of all, we miss your love. We do have some really great memories that help us get through, but we love you and miss you dearly.

All Our Love,

John, Beverly, Kevin, and Michael

Mom-



This is still so hard to believe and yet a year has gone by. I think about you all the time and wish you were still here. There is something I need to talk to you about, so if you get some time why don't you come and visit. I would love to see you.



Maureen

Ma,



Well, I did it! I went to see you today for your birthday. Joan was with me too. We both cried as we dusted off your headstone and rearranged the pine cones the kids left there for you on their last visit.



Missing You!



Mo

Mom: Who would have ever guessed I would be wishing you a Happy Birthday this way. We miss you dearly and talk about you each day. Claire is always saying that she misses her Nana. I will never let her forget how good you always were to her and how lucky she was to have you in her life. She will someday be telling her own kids all about you and as she would say "your golden heart". She asks me each day - "why doesn't Nana come back to us" and I tell her that you never left.



We all wish we could be together tomorrow for your big celebration but will be thinking about you and how you would be enjoying yourself.



We love and miss you more with each day.



Love, Eileen, Bob and Claire

Today would be your 78th. We would have celebrated with you as usual....but not this year. I still cannot believe that you are gone. We speak of you often and miss you each and every day. Tomorrow would be 50 years of marriage for you and Dad. Tomorrow Dad will spend with us. We are keeping a close eye on him. I really really miss you.



Margaret (Ed and the boys)

Mom,



Happy Birthday!



Love Maureen

Happy Birthday Josie,



We are all remembering you here on your birthday. You are really missed here by Mom and she still misses the annual visit and the weekly chat on the phone.



Love always Helen

Jo-Been thinking about you alot lately and missing you more.You would be so proud of Kevin and Michael.I really missed you at Michael's party!Kevin's 16th Birthday is coming up next week and it won't be the same without you.I have such great memories of last year when everyone was here and telling Kelly, Kevin, and Michael about ALL their childhood memories and about All the trouble they got into.I am so glad we had that day.We all had some great laughs.You are in my thoughts daily.I love you and miss you alot!

Hey Mom-



Today is the nineth day of June, it's now 7 months and seems like a lifetime.



I wanted to let you know that it is very hard for me to go to the cemetary. In my mind I think of you as still being at home and it makes it alot easier. I know that your headstone is there and it will be all too real when I do visit.



I love you and miss you.



Mo

Mom-



As you already know, Dad, Pat and I just got back from Ireland yesterday. We went to Dingle to see your brother Pat and sister Mary. Uncle Tom was visiting from London too. We had a very nice visit with many tears shed by all. Every time I looked at Auntie Mary, my heart skipped a beat, her actions and expressions are the spitting image of you! It was as if you were sitting there with us.



Happy Mothers Day Mom, I miss you very much!



All my love

Maureen

Though yesterday was Mother's Day, I could not bring myself to writing. Bright and early yesterday morning I visited your grave with Ed and the boys. There is was, your headstone....Johanna O'Brien, Wife, Mother & Grandma. It will never be real to me. It was a beautiful sunny day and I would have loved to have you sitting on the deck with us and drinking a Pina Colada.



I visit you often and talk to you contsantly because I know that you hear me. The boys asked yesterday "when can heaven come to us Mommy? We want to see Nana O'Brien". It absolutely breaks my heart.



We love you and miss you more each and every day.



Happy Mother's Day to the Best!



All our Love,



Margaret, Ed, Brendan and Ian

Dear Mom: It's Mother's Day today and Claire and I just came from your gravesite. I would give anything to be able to "go up north" to see you today - or to know that you were with Dad visiting your "home" in Ireland. I never knew someone could hurt so bad. My heart is aching today - not for me but for the loss of you! Mother's Day was always special because of you but now it is even more special. Claire is always asking for you and knows how much of a blessing you were to her. I always tell her that she has your heart. Hopefully part of you will grow on in her. Then I will know that she will always be a good person in her life.



Your passing has brought us all so much closer to each other - even to our friends. We have learned to value each day and what it brings - not matter what that is.



Please watch down on all of us. Lord knows we will always be looking for you in places we never did before. You are in my every thought of every day. I miss you more than I could ever put into words. You were the biggest blessing in my life and I thank God each day for that.



I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day to the world's greatest.



All our love,

Eileen, Claire and Bob

We still can't believe you are not with us anymore. It has been 6 months and we miss you more each day. All our love to you on this Mother's Day!

Dear Josie-



It's been several months . . . and as you know, your family and friends terribly miss you. There isn't a day that passes that we think of you and wish you were here with us. My life was blessed when I met your daughter, Eileen. I had the privilege of meeting you and Mr. O'Brien and the rest of your lovely Irish clan. It's now 25 years later and you, Eileen and the rest of your family hold a special place in both John's and my heart. Thank you for taking me and John into your family.



We miss you and love you . . .

I miss you more each day. Though we all continue to live day to day, it will never, ever be the same without you.



I am taking Dad to the Bulls game on Friday. He's very excited about going as they have been playing well. I'm sure that has something to do with you being up there.



Bye for now. I love you so very much and miss you even more.



Love,



Margaret

Hey Ma, it's been almost three months since I saw your beautiful face and held your hand. I cannot get over it nor do I think I ever will. I miss you so very very much.



You probably already know this but I wore a sweater of yours to work today. I didn't wash it because I could still smell your perfume. It was incredible.



Dad is doing well. Our friends and family are amazing and helping in every way they can. Don't worry, he is eating really well and hanging in there.



Brendan and Ian talk about you constantly and miss you very much as we all do.



I love you and miss you so very much!



Love,



Margaret

A Mother



The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long way?" she asked.

And the guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard, and you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years.

So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."

Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary.

But at all times she said to the children, "A little patience and we are there."

So the children climbed, and when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."

And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today I have given them strength."

And the next day came strange clouds that darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light."

And the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent.

But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide.

And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them."

And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still."

Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks, she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well.

Your Mother lives inside your laughter and she's crystallized in every teardrop. She's the place you came from, your first home; And she's the map you follow with every step you take.

She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you...Not time...not space...not even death.

God’s Garden

God looked around His garden and He found an empty place, He then looked down: upon this earth, and saw your tired face. He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful He always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering; He knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb. So He closed your weary eyelids, and whispered, “Peace be thine.” It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn‘t go alone part of us went with you the day God called you home



I miss you!!!

Dear O'Brien Family,

It has been many years since we all saw eachother and I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. She and your dad always made Margaret's friends feel very welcome in their home--many happy memories!!! My heartfelt sympathies are sent to all of you! Sharon Burlak-Res '82

Dear entire O'Brien family,

I am moved beyond words by the beautiful sentiments displayed in all the guest book entry's. After composing myself, I called your dad's house trying to reach Margaret, and he remembered me from way back when. What a doll he still is! He sounds GREAT. I remember all the great times in High School, whenever you walked into the house in Chicago you immediately went over to the couch and kissed 'ma' and Mr. O'Brien hello. It was always like a second home. What a great place to grow up. Keep yourselves well. Celebrate her life (sounds like you're already doing that.) She continues to be present in all of you. What a powerful gift. What a wonderful woman. It was great to talk to you Margaret.

Sincerely, Dana

With deepest sympathy to Pat O’ Brien and family.



We will all miss you Josie,

You always had a smile to share,

A laugh, a joke, time to care.

A wonderful nature, warm and true,

These are the memories we have of you.

Love from your brother Pat, Kathleen & family.

Hi Nana! We miss you very much. We're sure that you are hugging all the little kids in heaven and giving them candy and dollars out of your purse. We saw Papa yesterday and he is doing ok. Mommy took us for our Christmas pictures on Saturday and we wore the navy rugby shirts you brought us from Ireland. We smiled really nice, you would be proud. Bye for now. We love you and miss you very much.



Love,

Brendan & Ian

Dear Dear Josie,

For more than a year now, I have been meaning to write you a letter and tell you how lucky and grateful I am to have you as a Mother-in law. I waited too long, and now it's too late. I am so grateful that I could tell you I loved you the last time I saw you. You gave me your wonderful son for my husband, and I will always be thankful for him.You embraced me as a daughter from the very beginning. You were my other Mother for 24 years, and I miss you terribly.

You were the most wonderful Grandmother to my children and they will truly miss you. We were all so used to being able to pick up the phone and call you anytime, for any reason, and now I feel such a void. In all the years I knew you, I always admired your faith in God and I am sure he is holding you in the palm of his hand now. He is so lucky to have you. You were the best cook EVER!! Thanksgiving is going to be so hard, but all of us in-laws will eat the turkey skin in your honor, and remember what you always said (you know). You were truly a great Mom, a terrific Grandma who spoiled her grandchildren terribly, and one of the finest LADIES I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Your love of family was never ending.You will always have a special place in my heart and your spirit will live on forever in all of us.

I can only hope I can be half the mother-in-law you were to my childrens' wives. I really miss you Ma!

Hey Ma-



I wanted to let you know that I will wear your wedding rings with pride and you will be with me everyday! I miss you.



I love you! XOXO



Your daughter,

Maureen

Dear O'Brien Family:

Josie always treated me like part of the family and I loved her dearly. I have so many fond memories of her that I will cherish forever. One of my favorite memories is of the trip I took with her to Ireland in September of 1999. I am including a photo in the photo gallery to share with everyone.

I love you Josie and I know you are looking down on all of us and will always be our guardian angel for the rest of our days on earth.

Love,< br>Laura

Dear Pat, John, Patrick, Eileen, Maureen and Margaret,



We have lost an aunt with a heart of gold,

how much we will miss her can never be told.



We have such fond memories of our trip to Chicago and the many enjoyable card games we had during your visits home. You will always be in our hearts and prayers.



Love Myra, Thomas, Orla and Paul.

Dearest Pat, John, Pat, Maureen, Eileen, and Margaret,



I can't express how very saddened I am by the loss of your wife and mom. I loved Josie very, very much.

I had the privelege of being a bridesmaid in your wedding, having John as my ring bearer and being blessed with Margaret as a daughter-in -law. We've grown up together so to say and I will always remember Josie's smiles, brogue, laughter, love of all that is Irish and of course all that is Galvin as well as an undying devotion to family.

Josie,and of course all of your family, was with my Mom when we lost my Dad and so very supportive of my family when we said good-bye to my mom. I know that Josie and, Molly and Jerry Hanafin are having a great time in heaven talking about Ireland and watching over all of us.



Thanks Josie for everything!!!



Maureen and Ed Laude

My most heartfelt condolences at your loss. May the good Lord bless you with many many sweet memories in days to come

Mom's Eulogy



Since we were little, we knew how much our Irish heritage meant to us. Not only carrying the powerful "O'Brien" name, but to have parents with a brogue. Saturday morning breakfast conversations were always drowned out by the sounds of the Irish Hour on the radio.



Mom was so very proud of being Irish. She grew up as Johanna Galvin in Doonties, Lispole, County Kerry, Ireland. An absolutely beautiful place. Being a Galvin was very important to her. We never questioned how very proud she was of us. You would always know when you made her proud. She'd say...."That's the Galvin in you!" A good report card, graduations, the purchase of my first car, a promotion at work, marrying the grandson of a Galvin, the birth of a grandchild.... She'd say...."That's the Galvin in you!"



She loved us unconditionally and that made is easier when we did things we knew she would not be happy about. In those instances, she'd say....."That's the O'Brien in you!" Mom would look at Dad and give him a wink. A not so good report card, a dentention at school, getting caught sneeking in the back door at 5:00am......She'd say...."That's the O'Brien in you!"



Mom would love to cook for anyone. You'd never leave her house hungry or empty handed. There wasn't a thing wrong with her heart. She was......



The Best Cook

The Best Nana

The Best Wife

The Best Mother-in-Law

The Best Neighbor

The Best Friend

and by far The Best Mom



Last night someone asked me, "How are you going to get through the eulogy?" I thought to myself....





"It's the Galvin in me!"





Written & Read by Margaret O'Brien-Laude

Hey Ma, I just wanted to let you know that we miss you terribly already. As I was putting Brendan to bed on Friday night, he said, "I miss Grandma O'Brien". I replied "I do too buddy, Goodnight".



It's Sunday evening and I'm sure you are cooking for someone up there. We are keeping a close eye on Dad, please don't worry about him.



I'll talk to you again soon. All our love.....



Margaret, Ed, Brendan & Ian :-)

To Pat & all the O’Brien family.

My deepest, heartfelt sympathy to you all, on the death of our dear Josie.



A TRIBUTE TO MY SISTER:



Memories build a pathway

That goes winding through my heart.

I thought of you Josie everyday

Even though we were apart.



And now that you’ve gone to Heaven

I still hold you very dear.

You’ve only gone to God –

And God is very near.



The love of a brother and sister

Will never ever end.

And I treasure the wonderful memories

Of the card games we all enjoyed.



Josie, my loving sister –

You will always be “our” queen.



Our Queen of Hearts – symbolising your love of life

Our Queen of Clubs – your love for the Irish shamrock

Our Queen of Spades – your commitment to work

Our Queen of Diamonds – your light that shone through life

and will now continue to shine on us.





May you rest in peace Josie

until we all meet again.

From your heartbroken brother Tom, May, Eileen, Tony, and John.

Dear O'Brien Family,

We are very sorry to hear of your loss. May the love and kindness of family and friends help you through this most difficult time.

I know it is a difficult time for all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

To Pat and all the O’Brien family.

Thinking of you all and praying for you at this sad time.



PRAYER FOR A GRACIOUS LADY:



Dear Lord, a lovely lady left

her earthly home tonight,

She has taken the upper path

which leads to you, and light.



She will be a little lonely

and a little weary too,

And she may not know just how to turn

when Heaven comes into view.



It would be a kindly thing

to send her brother Johnny,

To meet her on the pathway

and welcome her to Heaven.



Don’t forget your special angels -

Siobhan and Maire at the gate,

Josie will hug and kiss them

As her loved ones there will wait.



And would your Mother Mary

drop in some day for tea

Josie had such devotion…..

to our Lady of Knock….you see.



When you do these things dear Lord

It will ease her family’s plight.

For she was a gracious lady

who went home to you this night.







May our dear Aunty Josie rest in peace.



With all our love,

Mary, Paudy, Mary, Amy and Gary.

O'Brien Family - Sorry about your mom, I just heard about it Thursday night while on the way to a family function. Sincerely yours,

John, Pat, Eileen, Maureen and Margaret:



We are very sorry to hear about your Mom. She was the most loving and tolerant person that I ever had the fortune to meet, even to the extent of putting up with me.



We will keep the entire O'Brien family in our prayers.



jim Foley

When tomorrow starts without me,

and I'm not there to see;

If the sun should rise and find your eyes,

all filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry,

the way you did today,

while thinking of the many things,

we didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,

as much as I love you,

and each time that you think of me,

I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,

please try to understand,

that an Angel came and called my name,

and took me by the hand,

and said my place was ready,

in heaven far above,

and that I'd have to leave behind,

all those I dearly love.



But as I turned to walk away,

a tear fell from my eye,

for all life, I'd always thought,

I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,

so much yet to do,

it seemed almost impossible,

that I was leaving you.



I thought of all the yesterdays,

the good ones and the bad,

I thought of all the love we shared,

and all the fun we had.



If I could relive yesterday,

just even for awhile,

I'd say goodbye and kiss you

and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,

that this could never be,

for emptiness and memories,

would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,

I might miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you, and when I did,

my heart was filled with sorrow.



But when I walked through heaven's gates,

I felt so much at home.

When God looked down and smiled at me,

from His great golden throne,



He said, "This is eternity,

and all I've promised you".

Today for life on earth is past,

but here it starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,

but today will always last,

and since each day's the same day,

there's no longing for the past.



But you have been so faithful,

so trusting and so true.

Though there were times you did some things,

you knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven

and now at last you're free.

So won't you take my hand

and share my life with me?



So when tomorrow starts without me,

don't think we're far apart,

for every time you think of me,

I'm right here, in your heart

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Maureen,

I was so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. She was a wonderful woman and I hope you find comfort in the memories you have of her. Nobody could make Irish Soda Bread better than her. Please take care of yourself, we're thinking of you. Love, Carrie,Cameron,Trevor and Shane