Annette Kilgore O'Brien

1949 - 2021

Surrounded by family, Annette Kilgore O'Brien peacefully went to be with our Lord on January 8, 2021. Annette Lee Kilgore was born in Orlando, FL on July 14, 1949, to Sara Hughes Kilgore and Forrest A. Kilgore, Jr. She grew up with her supportive sister, Sally, by her side and enjoyed school, church, singing, and Girl Scouts as a young girl. Annette graduated from Winter Park High School, and as a proud Wildcat alumna, Annette remained actively involved in every WPHS Class of '67 reunion.

Annette attended FSU where she joined her beloved sisterhood of Gamma Phi Beta and graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Mathematics Education in 1971. Committed to teaching, she went on to earn a Master's degree in her field from Florida Technological University, later renamed UCF. For 33 devoted years, Annette worked as a math and computer science educator, most notably at her alma mater, WPHS, and at Lake Highland Preparatory School. Her passion for serving others and God was evident in her involvement in the Orange County Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Junior League, and the First United Methodist Church of Orlando (including the Koinonia Sunday school class).

Annette married her lifetime love and high school sweetheart, Neill O'Brien, in 1970. Truly destined for one another, Neill always said, "As long as Annette was on my arm, I felt like I could do anything!" Married for over 5 decades, their greatest blessings were their cherished children, Saralyn Aimee (1979) and Brandon Neill (1985), and grandchildren: Samuel, Sadie, and Lucas. Family, friends, fellowship, and faith filled their years with joy and purpose. An angel on earth, Annette was generous, gentle and kind spirited. She saw good and beauty in every person she met and celebrated each day, giving thanks to the Lord.

A true inspiration, Annette overcame breast cancer and bravely battled Parkinson's disease for over 15 years with unparalleled grace, positivity, and Neill's tender care. In addition to the rich legacy of love and faith she leaves behind, her brain was donated to the UF DBS Brain Bank for Parkinson's research, in hopes of helping others afflicted by the same disease. Her husband, Neill, a loyal Seminole fan, proudly touts that the Gators are very lucky and definitely smarter now that his sweetie's brain is in Gainesville.

Due to the pandemic, a celebration of Annette's life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Annette's memory to the UF Foundation, PO 100243, Gainesville, FL 32610 for Parkinson's disease research or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 W 44th St, Suite 609, New York, NY 10036 (www.bcrf.org).

Annette was predeceased by her dear mother, Sadie, father, Forrest, and her beloved Aunt Hariot and Uncle Barney Greene. She is survived by her husband Neill, daughter Saralyn (Jorge) Rodriguez, son Brandon (Rachel) O'Brien, treasured grandchildren: Samuel, Sadie, and Lucas, sister Sally (John - Neill's brother) O'Brien, adored nieces: Johanna Lee (Kyle) Sims, Valorie O'Brien, Rebekah (Cole) Mears, grandniece Eleanor, grandnephews Caleb, Owen, and Levi, and sister-in-law Catherine (Diana) O'Brien.

Also surviving are the following and their families: Lorraine, Janie, Ellis, Griffin, Kelly, Linda, Kitty, Bob, Connie, Tina, Alex, Leslie, Susan, John, Fay, Betty, Nancy, Bill, Harriet, Sandy, Henry, Susan, Steve, Leslie, Alan, Bonnie, Cindi, Bruce, and Randa.

Annette left many special friends, including Pamela, LJ, and her Fall Friendzy pals, who she loved and touched in her too-short life…you all know who you are!