Jean Theresa O’Brien August 10, 1927- August 25 2017
It is with a mixture of sadness and gratitude that we commemorate the life and death of Jean Theresa O’Brien. She was born Jean Griffin on August 10th, 1927 in St. John’s to Thomas & Agnes (Malone) Griffin. She passed away in St. John’s on Friday, August 25 2017.
Jean, at 90, had outlived the entire Griffin family: her beloved sisters Mary, Margaret, Gertrude, Anne and Sheila; and her brothers Jack, Gerald, Martin and special nephew Ron. She recently said: “I am the last of the Mohicans… if the Griffins were Mohicans.” She spoke of her childhood with fondness and maintained lifelong friendships from her neighbourhood and the Presentation School.
She married W. John (Jack) O’Brien, a cameraman with the CBC and they had four children: John, Ian, Ken, and Jeanne. Jean experienced tremendous loss, burying her husband and two of her sons, Ken and John. She bore those tragedies with tremendous grace and it could always be said that she possessed a cheerfulness for life and the certainty of faith. Her wide circle of friends will remember her fondly for her sense of humour, her love of adventure and her ability to listen attentively and offer wise counsel, especially to the bereaved. She volunteered throughout her life at her children’s schools, St. Bon’s and Pius X, with the palliative and pastoral care programs at both of the city’s hospitals and with the VOWR. She was devoted to her parish church, St. Pius X, and had longstanding friendships there. Jean travelled the world and loved literature, music and the textile arts. She often found herself at the very centre of anything playful and this made her especially adored by her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She was an avid walker and loved visiting the communities of Bareneed, Otterbury, King’s Cove and Open Hall where she also had many friends.
She is survived by her loving daughter Jeanne and son Ian, and daughters-in-law Theresa Mackenzie and Carol O’Brien. She also leaves with fond memories: daughter-in-law Margie O’Brien; grandchildren Sarah [Terence], Jeremy [Dawn], Alicia, Nicholas [Rose], Deirdre [Jerome], Connor [Jessica], Timothy [Balbina] and Liam; great-grandchildren Lucas, Myah, Victoria, Majella, Vera, Priscilla, Martin, Zachariah, Magdalen, Isidore, Damaris, John Benedict, Edmund and Gemma. Jean’s later years were made particularly special by the devotion of her many nieces and nephews who were united in their love of the Griffin girls.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation at Caul’s Funeral Home, LeMarchant Road on Monday, August 28 from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm. Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, August 29 at 9:30am, St. Pius X Church, Smithville Crescent; interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Though Jean loved flowers, she put greater value in kind and thoughtful deeds. A truly fitting tribute to her memory would be to support, volunteer and advocate for any organization that tends to the poor, the vulnerable and the elderly. In giving your time or financial contribution to these organizations you honour the very essence of Jean, who was guided by the virtues of faith, hope and charity.
When I die Hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly away.

Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Jean Theresa O’Brien – (August 10, 1927 – August 25, 2017).source

Décès pour la Ville: Torbay, Province: T-N

avis deces Jean Theresa O’Brien – (August 10, 1927 – August 25, 2017)- avis mortuaire Jean Theresa O’Brien – (August 10, 1927 – August 25, 2017)