Obituary of Catherine T. O'Brien

CATHERINE T. O'BRIEN March 5, 1920 - May 31, 2012 Catherine T. O'Brien, a longtime resident of Mendham, died on Thursday at the Holly Manor Nursing Home in Mendham after a brief illness. She was 92. Born Catherine T. Maher, she was raised in Morristown and attended the Bayley School there. After high school, she worked as an office assistant at the Dutch Elm Disease Laboratory and at Morristown Lumber Company, later becoming treasurer of Morristown Lumber. She was active in Morristown Democratic Party politics and the Woman's Club. In 1955, she was married to the late Donald B. O'Brien, who died in 1995. She is also predeceased by her three brothers, John, William, and James Maher and her sister Pauline Maher. Mrs. O'Brien is survived by her son Dennis and daughter-in-law Jaime of Chatham, together with their son Connor. She is also survived by her son Donald of Mendham, and by many nieces and nephews. Mr. & Mrs. O'Brien moved to Mendham in 1960, and resided there for the remainder of their lives. She was active in the local Cub and Boy Scouts organizations, St. Joseph Church, and Delbarton School, where she served for several years as treasurer of the Mothers Guild. In the 1970s, Mrs. O'Brien worked for Silver Burdett Company in Morristown in its bookkeeping department. Mrs. O'Brien will be loved and remembered for wonderful stories about her childhood in Morristown, her unvarnished political opinions, her ever-reliable holiday cooking, her exceptional wit and humor, and, above all, her selfless devotion to family and friends. Hers will be a legacy of generosity and compassion for everyone whose life she touched. Visitation will be held on Monday from 7-9pm at the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Rd., Mendham. Funeral Mass Tuesday 10:30 am St. Joseph Church Mendham. Interment Holy Rood Cemetery, Morris Township. For those desiring, donations to the St. Joseph Church in Mendham, would be appreciated.