Nancy Jean Young O'Brien

Nancy Jean Young O'Brien passed away on 20 November 2024 at her home in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota and was 76 years old. She was born on 30 April 1948 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Maurice Thomas Young and Mabel Louise Wampler Young. Nancy was the second of three sisters who grew up in Muncie, Indiana.

She was always an excellent student and graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1966 where she was a pillar of the Debate Team. She graduated with distinction from Indiana University in 1970 with a degree in Sociology and in 1972, completed a Masters Degree in Social Work at the University of Michigan. While at the University of Michigan, she met John Franklin O'Brien, fell in love and they were married in May of 1972. In 1989, they welcomed their beloved daughter Kelsey and they celebrated 52 years of marriage in 2024. They lived the majority of their years together in Roseville, Minnesota.

Professionally, Nancy worked in the field of Psychiatric Social Work in several locations but primarily within the Veterans Administration hospitals. Among her many endeavors was the development of care for women in the VA system and she completed her career as Compliance Officer at the Minneapolis VA Hospital. Nancy enjoyed the respect and friendship of many colleagues throughout her career.

Nancy and John enjoyed spending time in the northern Minnesota woods camping. They were very fond of reading wherever they were and could often be found at symphony concerts. They enjoyed the many Minnesota opportunities for canoeing and hiking. When winters arrived, they were overjoyed to be out cross-country skiing and walking in their snow shoes.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents and two brothers-in-law, Barney Kitchen and Michael Woodward. She is survived by her husband, John, daughter Kelsey O'Brien Cummings, son-in-law Parker Cummings, and grandson Jaxon Cummings; her sisters, Connie Kitchen and Jill Woodward; five nieces, Sarah, Mary Ann, Brynn, Brooke, and Ellen and three nephews, Ben, Adam, and Riley; sister-in-law Sally O'Brien Atwood and brother-in-law Tom O'Brien; two aunts, Amy Thurman and Charlotte Martin, and many cousins.

John has requested that memorial donations be sent to Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, a favorite charity of Nancy and John's that has been fighting homelessness, addiction, and poverty in the Twin Cities since 1902. Gifts may be mailed or you may visit their website at http://ugmtc.org and select "Ways to Give."



Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities

376 Western Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55103