Margaret E. O'Brien, 84, of Eau Claire, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2013, at Orchard Hills Assisted Living in Eau Claire. She was born on January 3, 1929 in Eau Claire to Bernard and Edna (Miller) Nix. She grew up with a younger sister and attended grade school and high school at St. Patrick's Catholic School. After graduation, Margaret worked at the telephone company as an operator. She met her future husband Arthur "Barney" O'Brien in 1948 in the St. Patrick's Choir and on November 24, 1949 they were married. Barney taught English and French in Arcadia for 14 years. While in Arcadia, Margaret was an insurance agent. They moved back to Eau Claire and Margaret worked for the State of Wisconsin as a Highway Safety Coordinator. She also worked at Chippewa Valley Technical College as a Highway Safety Instructor. During this time, she attended college courses at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. As a family, they enjoyed meal time together, especially using vegetables from their garden. Her hobbies included playing bridge, sewing, quilting, Scrabble, card games, reading and many other family-oriented activities. Throughout her lifetime, her family and Catholic faith gave deep meaning to her life. Margaret is survived by her sister, Eleanor (Gilbert) Statz; 6 children, David (Nancy) O'Brien of Cordova, AK, William O'Brien of Anchorage, AK, Ann (Robert) Rohloff of New Berlin, Janet O'Brien of Hudson, Joseph (Cindy) O'Brien of Eau Claire and Michael (Ann) O'Brien of Eau Claire; 11 grandchildren, Melanie Mattson, Royce O'Brien, Sean, Andy, Emily and Rob Rohloff, Mario O'Brien, Erin and Evan O'Brien, and Eric and Adam O'Brien; 5 great grandchildren, Keyona and Danika, Garett and Rowan, and Sawyer; one sister-in-law, Patricia O'Brien; and also by several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Barney O'Brien; two infant twin boys, Matthew and Mark, and one daughter-in-law, Linda O'Brien. The family would like to thank the staff at Orchard Hills Assisted Living for their compassionate care and friendship shown to mom during her stay. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12 p.m. Noon on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 322 Fulton St. in Eau Claire with Father George Thayilkuzhithottu officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass on Tuesday at church. Private family burial will take place at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Eau Claire.

Service Information

Cemetery

St. Patrick's Cemetery 2000 Omaha Street Eau Claire WI 54701