Mary O'Brien

Mary Ann O’Brien was born in Willsden Green, London, England in 1937. The family soon returned to Shanafarahaun, County Galway, Ireland where Mary received her Education and spoke the local Gaelic language. Mary enjoyed helping her grandfather grow vegetables, tend the flock, and walk the hills in Shanafarahaun. Mary became a domestic at age 14, and soon returned to West Crawley, Sussex, England for a time before being the first in her immediate family to head to America. She arrived solo in NYC in March 1959, and stayed an extra day to attend her first NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade. She then flew to Chicago, Illinois to reside with her family sponsor. Mary sought out and found employment on her second day in Chicago, Illinois. Mary enjoyed working, attending Irish dances, and socializing with her roommates, family, and friends. Fiercely independent she returned to NYC where she worked as a waitress and raised her children as a single mother in Brooklyn, N.Y. Mary would be first to say, “She wasn’t perfect, but she did the best she could”. Mary loved reading and took a few classes at St John’s University in Queens, N.Y.  Later in life, she also worked in a rectory preparing meals for the parish priests. Her family grew to include 3 grandsons (Anthony, Peter, and John) and one granddaughter (Susan). In the late 1990s she moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana and took a job as a crossing guard. She resided with her son Patrick, whom she guided in life. In Indiana Mary enjoyed volunteering with the homeless and disabled veterans. She displayed a quick Irish wit, enjoyed talking politics, and was always ready to offer to pray with friends or strangers in need.  Mary would ride her bicycle around town daily, just up until a few months ago when her health began to decline. Mary enjoyed attending church services and activities. Mary’s heart filled with happiness at the birth of her great granddaughter (Lucy) and most recently her great grandson (Jax).  Mary placed her faith in Jesus Christ, read the Holy Bible, and encouraged family, friends, and strangers to do the same.  Mary was preceded in death by her parents (Patrick O’Brien and Johanna (Joan) O’Brien, younger siblings Eileen (O’Brien) Cassidy, Patrick O’Brien, and Ann (Teresa) O’Brien, and her son Patrick James McKnight. Mary is survived by her Daughter Mary O’Brien-DeAngelis, son-in-law Jack DeAngelis, grandson Anthony DeAngelis, granddaughter-in-law Judy DeAngelis, great-granddaughter Lucy DeAngelis, great-grandson Jax DeAngelis, Daughter Veronica McKnight-Krause, son-in law James Krause, granddaughter Susan Fiorentino, grandsons Peter M. Fiorentino Jr, and John Fiorentino. Mary is also survived by Sean (Robert Kohn), her Cousin Tommy O’ Brien (Ireland), her brother-in-law William Cassidy, her 4 nephews (Bill, Al, Rob, and Bruce  Cassidy), her Godson Bartley, and Mary leaves behind many local cherished friends as well. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am Tuesday February 20, 2024 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1121 S. Calhoun St., where the family will receive friends on Tuesday from 9:00-10:00am in the church. Arrangements through Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. Memorial dontaions may be directed to the Ave Maria Hospitality House, online at https://stmarysfw.org/ave-maria-house, or by mail to 432 Madison St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802. To share a remembrance of Mary or to offer condolences to her family, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.