Nancy O'Brien

Nancy O'Brien, 85, passed away peacefully at home with no regrets and with her daughter, Rebecca, by her side on June 14, 2024.

Nancy lived in Tucson for the past thirty-seven years after moving from Rochester, New York, with her husband David. While David taught Biochemistry at the University of Arizona, Nancy taught piano to scores of children, was an active member of the Tucson Music Teachers Association and chaired the group's famous piano ensemble concert. Nancy and David loved exploring the west. They ran the Grand Canyon in oar boats, hiked the Sierras and escaped the heat by heading up to Park City, Utah. After David passed in 2002, Nancy continued her adventures with family raft and camping trips as well as trips to Alaska, Norway, Spain and Mexico and an 80th birthday trip to France with her family.

Nancy was a pianist and guitarist, a voracious reader, a lifelong Democrat, and supporter of classical music, including the Tucson Symphony. Nancy loved making a good fuss, going out, traveling, book club, art, big parties and fancy feasts, home baked birthday cakes, home renovation projects, fancy duds and beautifully wrapped presents. Nancy was also a devoted mom and grandma who showered her family with love and support and tried to teach them patience, persistence, and never to take anything, including oneself, too seriously.

Nancy is dearly missed by her daughters, Rebecca and Alice, daughter-in-law Cynthia Nocon, son-in-law Joel McElvain, and grandchildren Alison, Rachel, Nina, Teddy and Ava, and many friends. Nancy dearly loved her weekly lunches with son Jim, who passed away much too soon in 2020.

A service celebrating Nancy's life will be held on Saturday, July 27th at 4 p.m. at the San Pedro Chapel, 5230 East Ft. Lowell Road, Tucson, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy's memory may be made to the Tucson Music Teachers Association Merit Scholarship at tucsonmusicteachers.org.