Marie T. (McLaughlin) O'Brien

Mrs. Marie T. (McLaughlin) O’Brien, of Waltham, died Monday, March 11, 2024 in Newton-Wellesley Hospital following a period of declining health. She was 86.

Marie was born in Dorchester on November 29, 1937 and was a graduate of Archbishop Cushing High School in South Boston. She was a lifelong member of Saint Mark’s Parish in Dorchester until her August, 1964 marriage to Watertown native Eugene F. O’Brien, Sr.  A year later, the couple moved to Waltham where they raised their family.

A Waltham school teacher for more than twenty years, Marie taught English at Waltham High and at the city’s junior high schools.  She loved to read and was a master of the arts and literature and belonged to several book clubs in the area. When her children were young she returned to school and earned her bachelor’s degree in education at Boston College . . . the accomplishment of which she was particularly proud.

Marie will long be remembered as a warm, loving, kind, generous, and faith-filled woman.  As a longtime parishioner at Saint Mary’s Church she attended Mass every chance she had and recited the Rosary daily.  She was gentle and compassionate, yet unapologetic, in her lifelong defense of the rights of the pre-born and sponsored many pro-life efforts in the parish and in the area. She led the effort to sponsor a Lenten Baby Shower that provided support to expectant mothers in the parish and throughout the city.

Her greatest joy was fulfilled with time spent with her husband, children and grandchildren who lovingly called her ‘Nana’.  The arrival of her first great-grandchild, Lucy Marie, made her life complete.

In addition to her husband of almost sixty years, Gene, she leaves her children, Eugene F. O’Brien, Jr. (Carol) of Waltham, Margaret E. “Meg” Wade (Geoffrey) of Needham, and Patrick J. O’Brien (Kathryn) of Waltham; her grandchildren, Thayer Wade, Lieut. Geoffrey Wade, USA, Elizabeth Wade, Patrick Wade, Caroline O’Brien and Amelia O’Brien; her great-granddaughter, Lucy; and her brother and sister, Deacon James McLaughlin (Barbara) of Abington and Anne Shinney (late Paul) of Weymouth.

Marie was also a sister of the late Rev. Patrick McLaughlin.

Family and friends will honor and remember Marie’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20) Waltham on Tuesday, March 19th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

To watch the broadcast [and recording] of Marie’s Funeral Mass please visit https://my.gather.app/remember/marie-o-brien-2024

Memorial donations may be made to 40 Days for Life, 4112 East 29th Street, Bryan, TX 77802 or at https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/