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M. O'Brien Obituary
A Dominican Sister of San Rafael for sixty-five years, died peacefully at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent on Thursday, November 14 after a long illness.
Florence Genevieve O'Brien was born and raised in San Francisco. She met the Dominican Sisters as a student when she attended St. Dominic School and St. Rose Academy. She entered the convent and graduated from Dominican College with a bachelor's degree in education in 1951. For thirty-two years Sister Thaddeus taught the elementary grades in Catholic schools throughout northern California and in Reno.
In the late 1960s a science grant from the University of California allowed her to intensively study marine biology and transformed Sister Thaddeus' approach to teaching science to her students. She also piloted a tour of the eastern United States for eighth grade students at Our Lady of Mercy School in Daly City. Her subsequent love of travel led her to many exciting travel adventures in Russia, Africa, Europe, Costa Rica and across the United States and Canada.
Beginning in 1990 Sister Thaddeus served in the parish at Our Lady of Mercy, ministering to the elderly, sick and homebound. She retired to Our Lady of Lourdes Convent in San Rafael in 1998.
Sister Thaddeus was predeceased by her father, Aloysius Ignatius O'Brien, her mother, Genevieve Marron O'Brien, and her brothers, Aloysius I. O'Brien, Jr. and George M. O'Brien. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Barbara O'Brien and Bernice O'Brien, her nieces and nephews, George M. O'Brien, Jr., Kathleen Von Lehr, Sue O'Brien, Michael P. O'Brien, and Cathy Rossman, many cousins, grand-nieces and grand-nephews and their families, and by her Dominican Sisters.
A funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, November 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Dominican Sisters Center, 1520 Grand Avenue in San Rafael, followed by a burial service at St. Dominic Cemetery in Benicia.
Contributions in memory of Sister Thaddeus may be made to the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, Development Office, 1520 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for M. O'Brien
3 Entries
Jenifer (Heise) Benedetti
November 18, 2013
Sister Thaddeus was my 8th grade science teacher at OLM back in the 70's. She wasn't easy, but challenged all of us to do our very best! Outside of school, she was very kind and witty. RIP, Sister Thaddeus. I will fondly remember the many stories that came from room 8a.
Michael Lafferty
November 17, 2013
My brother and sisters also were taught by Sister Thaddeus at OLM in the late 1960's and early 70's. Many family gatherings we talk about grade school and OLM. We have many fond and funny stories of Sister Thaddeus She was by far the teacher that taught us the most because she expected us to do our best. This year like every year our family will come together for Christmas and I and my brother and sisters will reminisce fondly and retell the stories and toast to her. May she rest in peace.
November 17, 2013
Sister Thaddeus taught me and my brothers and sisters at OLM school in Daly City in the 1970's and 1980's. I also attended St. Rose Academy in San Francisco. I have a lot of very fond memories.
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