Rita M. O'Brien

BALDWINSVILLE-Rita Margaret Rocker O'Brien, 82, passed away peacefully with her loving children by her side on Monday, October 20, 2025 at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. Rita was born on April 26, 1943, the daughter of Alfred and Margaret Beck Rocker. She grew up on James Street in Port Leyden and was a proud graduate of Port Leyden Central School, class of 1961. In the fall of 1964, she entered a three year nursing program at Mercy Hospital in Watertown. She graduated in August, 1967 with her Registered Nursing Degree. Rita met her husband to be, Fran, in the fall of 1967 when he knocked on her door selling life insurance. On October 26, 1968 she married Francis E. O'Brien at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Port Leyden. Together they lived and raised a family in Watertown before moving to Baldwinsville in January, 1977. Over the years, Rita worked as an industrial nurse at various companies including: Carrier, Crucible Steel, and Nestlé. Rita was a woman of strong Catholic faith. She had a devout commitment to the Blessed Mother and prayed the rosary daily. Her interests included cooking, baking, gardening, singing, and reading. Rita was at her happiest when she was cooking and feeding her loved ones. She also enjoyed spending time in the Adirondack Mountains with family and friends. Rita was a true animal lover. She was especially kind and giving to numerous cat, dog, horse, and donkey organizations. Rita is survived by her four children and their spouses, along with her five grandchildren who affectionately called her Oma. Her children include Kathleen O'Brien Tierno of Boonville, Joseph F. O'Brien of Baldwinsville, Dr. John P. O'Brien (Anna) of Fayetteville, and Molly O'Brien Healy (Robert) of Sherrill; her five beloved grandchildren include Olivia Tierno-Humpf (Dalton), Katherine, Mary and James O'Brien, and Ella Healy; and three brothers, Larry, Peter, and Rev. Stephen Rocker. She was predeceased by her parents Alfred and Margaret Rocker; her husband, Francis E. O'Brien; one grandson, Alexander F. Tierno; one brother, Paul B. Rocker; and one sister, Lois Rocker DeFio. While honoring Rita's final wishes, there are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Port Leyden with her brother, Reverend Stephen Rocker, officiating. Private Internment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Boonville. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Maryknoll Sisters or the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers or to a local animal shelter of your choosing in Rita's memory. The family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude to the ER staff and the sixth floor ICU nurses and doctors at Upstate Medical Center for their compassionate care given to Rita during her final days. For an online message of sympathy, you may go to www.millsfuneralhomes.com. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Rita M. O'Brien, please click here to visit our sympathy store. Memorial Donation