Dr. Jean Patrice O’Brien

Dr.
Jean Patrice (Losco) O'Brien passed away May 18, 2023 with her loving family at
her side.
Born
August 17, 1950 in Berlin, New Hampshire and raised in Chelsea and Natick
Massachusetts, she was a daughter of the late Felix and Louise (Holland) Losco.
She
earned her B.S. in Psychology, and M.S. and Ph.D in Personality Psychology from
the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Jean was a visiting assistant
professor of Psychology at Bucknell University before beginning her career at
King's College in Wilkes-Barre PA.
During
her 36 year tenure at King's, Jean was the Chairperson of the Human Resources
Management Department and a professor of Psychology. She received the Whitman
Distinguished Service Professorship and the Rosenn award for Teaching
Effectiveness. She made more than 85 conference presentations across the
country and published 18 scholarly articles and book chapters. She was a leader
of the Juvenile Justice College Mentoring Program at King's, and was a beloved
colleague and mentor to many.
Surviving
are her husband Edward O'Brien, Kingston, PA; daughters Caroline (O'Brien)
Zawilski, Eugene, OR; and Lindsey O'Brien, Portland, OR; grandchildren Ryan and
Ayla Zawilski; and siblings Ruth Allukian, Boston, MA; Pam Smith, New York, NY;
and Felix Losco, Belleville, IL; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In
addition to her successful teaching career, Jean was an avid reader, astute
political observer, film lover, problem solver, advocate for gender equality,
and a lifelong learner. Her wit, generous spirit, and joyous, uninhibited laugh
lit up many rooms and made lifelong impressions on those who loved her. She
will be deeply missed.
To
celebrate the life of Dr. Jean O'Brien, a visitation will be held on Tuesday,
May 23 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Hugh B. Hughes & Son Funeral Home.
In lieu of
flowers, memorial donations may be made to organizations that Jean proudly
supported including the,
,, or.