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Marie O'Brien Obituary
DR. MARIE E. O'BRIEN
AGE: 89 PLAINFIELD
Dr. Marie E. O'Brien, 89, entered into eternal rest on April 21, 2009 at Haven Hospice, Woodlands. Born in Perth Amboy, to her late parents, Frederick and Elizabeth (Connolly) O'Brien, she was a lifelong resident of Plainfield. In her fifty-six year career at North Plainfield High School, Dr. O'Brien taught three generations of students how to write. As a teacher of English, head of the English Department, and district supervisor of Language Arts, she always stressed the importance of becoming a good writer. "The more you write, the better you will become" became Dr. O'Brien's rallying cry. The Dr. Marie O'Brien Excellence in Writing Award was created to celebrate her fiftieth year in the district and to recognize the huge contributions she has made in the area of teaching. Dr. O'Brien held a Bachelor of Arts in English from Montclair State University; A Master of Arts from Columbia University; and a Ph.D from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Even with these degrees, she never stopped learning and had amassed more credits in graduate study than any other professional in the district. A member of the Third Order of St. Francis, she was a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Plainfield, where she also served as a lector.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Rev. James F. A. O'Brien. There are no immediate survivors.
Services will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Funeral Liturgy on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Liberty and West Sixth Sts., Plainfield. She will be interred in the family plot at St. Gertrude's Cemetery, Colonia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Dr. Marie O'Brien Writing Award, c/o North Plainfield High School, 34 Wilson Ave., North Plainfield, New Jersey 07060. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Higgins Home for Funerals Plainfield, NJ.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Marie O'Brien
Barbara Green Elbeze
April 24, 2009
So sorry to learn about the passing of an NPHS icon, Dr. O'Brien. I will never forget the unique style she had in teaching us. Honors English senior year at NPHS is one of my fondest memories because of the way she challenged us to learn. The "great books" seminars, leading discussions, high expectations for written work and even back then in 1969, Miss O'Brien had a way of being on the cutting edge of educational theory and methodology. (We even made movies!)
Her legacy will live on in all of us and I for one can attest to the fact that as an educator for over 30 years, I still think about her as a role model and someone I aspire to be like for the inspiration and compassion she gave to her students.
Barry Rosenbaum
April 24, 2009
As one of her "legacies" from the class of
'56, she will always remain in my memory as one of the persons who most influenced and shaped my life. I daresay that many, many other people will feel the same. May she rest in peace knowing the love she engendered.
Phyllis Price
April 24, 2009
One of my fondest memories of NPHS is Dr. O'Brien class where lessons on Shakespeare and vocabulary became life long gifts.
Frances Jannuzzi Sills
April 23, 2009
Marie was the reason I became an English teacher, then to become an administrator. I vividly remember how she made Macbeth come alive for me in senior English 1964.
Susan Henry Martin
April 23, 2009
Miss O'Brien, as we called her back in 1967-68, was undoubtedly the most amazing and gifted teacher of my life. My role model throughout my relatively brief teaching career of 27 years, she was, indeed, the consummate scholar and teacher.
David Wilson
April 23, 2009
I forgot to put in this message earlier. I will always remember her as a great teacher and friend. I'm still trying to figure out why she referred to me as the "cantankerous" one when she signed my yearbook.
Joyce Myers
April 23, 2009
I had the priviledge of knowing and working with this fine lady, and she will be sorely missed. May she rest in peace.
All McCarthy Family
April 23, 2009
Many great memories of her ! Great teacher & lady!
Danny Lynch
April 23, 2009
A Celtic blessing for our dear Marie
May you be as free as the wind
As soft as sheep's wool
As straight as arrow
So you may journey into the heart of God
Dan Lynch (teacher of English and Spanish, North Plainfield High School 1974-2007)
Douglas Wicks
April 23, 2009
Adieu to a great teacher-she set an example for all to follow.
Nancy Gordon
April 23, 2009
I was privileged to be chosen to be in your class and honored to say I was one of your students. Class of '70
joan delnegro
April 23, 2009
i remember miss o;brien to this day and her voc. words. she was a great person. joan (hickey) del negro class of '55
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