Nancy Lynn O'Brien

Nancy Lynn O'Brien, age 61, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL.
Nancy was born on November 14, 1963 in Peoria, IL, to the late Rolan "Barry" and Constance "Connie" (Sheppard) Johnson. She married Michael G. O'Brien on February 14, 1987, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, in Peoria.
Nancy is survived by her loving, devoted husband, Mike, their children, Mary (Drew) Hotkevich of Washington, IL, Patrick (Mary Kate) O'Brien of Chicago, IL and Joseph "Joey" (Katy) O'Brien, five grandchildren, Brooks and Calvin Hotkevich, Margaret "Molly" O'Brien, Nora and Wade Krieg, and a grandson on the way. Also surviving is her sister, Joni (Michael) Borghesi of Naperville, IL, whom she loved dearly and niece and nephews, Jeff (Brianna), Meg (Pat Panayotov) and Mark (Danielle LaSusa) Borghesi, that she spoiled and treated like her own children, as well as sisters-in law, Maureen (Sharon Tear) O'Brien and Judy (Tim) Crowley.
Nancy is preceded in death by several beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.
Nancy was a life-long, active Peoria resident. She graduated from St. Bernard Catholic Grade School and Academy of Our Lady High School, where she was class president and Academy Girl in 1982. She attended Illinois State University receiving her bachelor's degree in education. She was a proud member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.
Nancy went on to become a beloved school teacher, first teaching at South Side Catholic Grade School then at St. Mary's Catholic School in Kickapoo. For the last 20 years, she was a teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Grade School. Her greatest gift as a teacher was knowing that her students wanted to come back everyday. She never let anyone leave her class without an "I love you" and a hug.
Nancy and Mike are devoted St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church parishioners. She embraced her Catholic life and lived every day as a servant of the Lord, showing kindness and compassion to everyone around her. She went out of her way to show empathy and compassion to people that others may have forgotten. Nancy spent countless hours volunteering through the school including the yearly holiday bazaar. Nancy was a member of the Peoria Junior Women's Club and the Junior League of Peoria. She volunteered through St. Vincent de Paul Women's Guild. Nancy was a proud supporter of Peoria area small businesses all over town.
Nancy's greatest passion was her family. She was a great mom and loved to spoil her grandchildren. She was heavily involved in all the children's and grandchildren's extracurricular activities. Everyone could see how much joy her grandchildren brought her. She loved swimming in the pool with them, taking trips to Chuck-E-Cheese, parks, ice cream dates, Five Below and Bicycle Safety Town. She always had individual, special treats for each one of them.
One of Nancy's favorite pastimes was spending time in Panama City Beach at Sea Side Villas with the family. She spent endless hours with family and friends at Wedgewood Swim Club, in Peoria, and then went on to become the queen and leader of O'Brien country club, with open invitations to her famous pool.
Nancy treated and loved her friends like family. She loved her book clubs, her bunco groups, potlucks, swim days with her friends with tons of treats, large McDonald's Diet Coke with extra ice and phone calls that would last hours. She was a talker! Nancy will be dearly missed by all that knew her.
Visitation will be from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 PM. Further visitation will be from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, also at the church, with Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Fr. Stephen Willard will officiate and Entombment will follow at Resurrection Mausoleum in Peoria.
In lieu of flowers, because Nancy's education was so important to her, memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic church or Peoria Notre Dame High School
Tributes and condolences may be made at www.wrightandsalmon.com