Anne M. O'Brien

Anne Murphy O'Brien was born in Providence, R.I to parents, now deceased, Neale D. Murphy and Mary Behan Murphy. She passed away on her birthday, December 21, 2025. Anne was the oldest of six children. Her brothers, John of Jamestown, RI and Robert of Salinas, CA survive her. She was predeceased by her sisters Joan Casement and Francis Araujo, and brother Neale Jr. of Providence, RI.

Anne's formative years were spent in Cranston, RI. She graduated from Cranston High School and then Pembroke College in Brown University in 1955. Throughout her life, Anne was a dedicated alumnus of Brown University. She was the East Coast Chair of the Alumni Schools program and became the first female president of the combined Pembroke/Brown alumni Class of 1955. Anne's unwavering support of Brown earned her a coveted Alumni Service Award from the University in 2012. In September of her freshman year Anne met John O'Brien. After graduation Anne worked in the airline industry and lived in Chicago, where John pursued a training program with ITT. Anne and John were married in October of 1956. They lived also in Minneapolis and Connecticut, before moving with their young family to Scituate, MA in 1960. Anne and John were active members of the Scituate community until 1975 when John's career took them to Atlanta. After three years, they returned to Andover, MA and ultimately to their home in Harwich, MA.

Anne fulfilled her dream of becoming a librarian when she earned a master's degree in library science from Georgia State University and a master's degree in library management from the University of Rhode Island. She became the Director of Circulation at the Andover Public Library. She was the Director of the Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell, MA as well as the Director of the Snowe Library in Orleans, MA and served on the Board of the Harwich Public Library. Anne was named President of the Massachusetts Library Association in 1988 and was named to the Massachusetts Library Hall of Fame in 2006.

Anne and John are proud parents of three sons, John Jr. of Hingham, MA, Thomas of Boston, MA and William of Chestnut Hill, MA and their spouses, Kathleen, Patricia, and Colleen. Anne loved her grandchildren. Marisol, who predeceased her, Matthew, Kate, Lucas, Nina, Tomas, Dureti, Jack, and Michael. She was also a great grandmother to Maren.

In addition to her love of libraries, Anne was an avid sports fan and rarely missed any of her sons' games. Anne's special passion was football. She was an eager cheerleader at the many games coached by her son Bill. Additionally, Anne was a passionate and dedicated community activist who engaged in countless political campaigns and worthy democratic causes throughout her life.

We are grateful to many who cared for Anne in her final years, including the kindness of the Mill Hill Residence in Yarmouth MA. and most recently at Harbor Point in Centerville, MA. We are especially grateful for the compassionate care from all at Broad Reach Hospice and a special thank you also to her caretaker, Claudia who was most kind to Anne and our family. We will remember Anne for her love of books, sports and citizenship with a foundation deeply rooted in her faith and her family.

Contributions can be made to The Family Pantry of Cape Cod and The Foundation for Marisol's Journey (www.marisolfoundation.org).

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 26 from 2-4 PM at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 678 Main St. Harwich Center. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 27th at 11 AM at Holy Trinity Church, Route 28, West Harwich. Burial will follow at Island Pond Cemetery, Harwich.

Notes of comfort may be made to her family at www.chapmanfuneral.com