Joan O'Brien

1932 - 2023

Joan M. O'Brien, of Wethersfield, CT, widow of Dr. James E. O'Brien and daughter of Raymond T. and Josephine (Depgen) McMullen, passed away on December 23, 2023 with her family by her side.

Joan was born on September 12, 1932, in New Haven, CT and graduated from Nathan Hale High School in Moodus, CT. She attended the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy graduating with a BS in Pharmacy in 1954. She then worked as a pharmacist at her parents' drug store in Moodus. Joan and Jim were married on September 10, 1955. They moved to Burlington, Vermont where she worked as a pharmacist to support them while Jim attended medical school. Upon returning to Connecticut, she worked as a pharmacist at Saint Francis Hospital until she took time off to raise her four children. She later returned to pharmacy, working at Middlesex Memorial Hospital.

To Joan, nothing was more important than family. She was happiest when surrounded by family celebrating holidays or simply spending time together. She was incredibly supportive of her children and grandchildren and was a constant presence at all of their athletic, dance, musical, and academic activities. She dedicated many hours to volunteering and serving in leadership positions in multiple organizations in which her husband and children were involved including Highcrest Elementary School, Wethersfield High School Band Boosters, Pine Acres Swim and Tennis Club and the Hartford Women's Medical Auxiliary.

She was a faithful communicant of the Church of the Incarnation in Wethersfield for 57 years, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a long-time member of both the choir and bell choir. She was active in the Incarnation Women's Club, including serving as its President and active as a Past President for decades. She also volunteered as a director for the CCD program for many years.

Joan was predeceased by Jim, her husband of 64 years. She is survived by their four children: Dr. James E. O'Brien, Jr. (Dr. Lina) and their children Lauren, Connor, and Christine of Leawood, KS; Dr. Thomas J. O'Brien (Sharon) and their children Daniel, Kaitlyn, and Kerianne of Wethersfield; Elizabeth O. Massey (Bruce) and their children Erin, Rachel, and Joshua of West Hartford; and Deborah J. O'Brien of Wethersfield. She is also survived by her sisters, Anne Orner Tetmeyer and Audrey Wasik, her sister-in-law, Christine O'Brien, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her brothers-in-law, John O'Brien, Francis O'Brien, Robert Orner, and Donald Wasik, as well as her sister-in-law Shirley O'Brien.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an academic pharmacy scholarship at UConn established in Joan's and her husband's names. Please make checks payable to: The UConn Foundation, Inc. for the Dr. James E. O'Brien '52 '55 '57 and Joan McMullen O'Brien '54 Scholarship in Pharmacy (0031826) and send to: The UConn Foundation, Inc., Attn: Data Services, 2390 Alumni Drive, Unit 3206, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-3206.

Friends may call on Thursday January 4, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield. The funeral will be held at 9:15 am from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 in the Church of the Incarnation of Christ the King Parish, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Burial will be in Village Cemetery, 1 Marsh Street, Wethersfield. To extend condolences, please visit Farleysullivan.com.