Barbara Cooney O'Brien

Barbara Cooney O'Brien passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Barbara was born on February 6,1933 in Lackawanna, New York, to James and Florentine Cooney. Much of her childhood was spent in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she developed a lifelong love of golf and became one of the area's best women golfers. She was also an accomplished pianist and received a music scholarship, but ultimately chose to pursue a career in science. Barbara graduated from Rosemont College with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry. She continued her studies at Duke University where she earned both her Master's and Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry. She later completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia. It was there that she met the love of her life, Dan O'Brien. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on August 29, 1959, beginning a partnership that would span 66 years.

Following the completion of their training at the University of Virginia, Barbara and Dan moved to Dayton, Ohio, where Dan joined the faculty at the University of Dayton and their young family began to grow. After a brief period in Cleveland, Ohio, they eventually settled in Bryan–College Station, Texas, where they raised their seven children. Barbara worked at Texas A&M University for 30 years where she taught chemistry and was also an accomplished research scientist whose work focused on cholesterol metabolism.

Barbara enjoyed many hobbies and passions throughout her life. She loved playing golf with her father, and she treasured the friendships she formed through her bridge club, a group that met and socialized twice each month for more than 50 years. She was also a remarkable knitter, lovingly creating booties and blankets for each of her 24 grandchildren and cardigans for her devoted husband.

After successfully raising and educating their children, Dan and Barbara retired in 1997 and began traveling the world together. They enjoyed many cruises and made lasting friendships along the way.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, James and Florentine Cooney, her brother, James Cooney Jr., and her sister, Janice. She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Dan; her children Ann (Bill) Sperry, Margaret (Dennis) Caughy, Patrick (Randi) O'Brien, Eileen (Charles) Su, Mary (Leon) Carayannopoulos, Cathy (Michael) Schlebach, and Danny (Anne) O'Brien; her 24 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Her family will remember her for her intellect, warmth, dedication to her family, and the many lives she touched. In Lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Barbara with a donation to Hospice Brazos Valley, https://www.hospicebv.org/donate.