Mary Eleanor O'Brien, age 84, of Eau Claire, passed away with hospice on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at Dove Health Care and Rehabilitation of complications from Alzheimer's disease. She had been a resident at Dove for over 5 1/2 years.\r\nMary was born on June 29, 1923, in Eau Claire, the daughter of William and Rosella (Jacobs) Roach. She spent her childhood in Shawtown and attended local schools. Mary wed her high school sweetheart, James P. O'Brien, on July 3, 1943, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.\r\nMom was a quiet, gentle woman, a homemaker who lived her life for her family. She had 6 children and loved each of them unconditionally. Mom was a talented seamstress who made everything from Halloween costumes to prom dresses and quilts. She also loved to knit and bake, was a whiz at crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and Racko, enjoyed feeding the birds, taking walks in the neighborhood, writing letters to family and friends, and watching Packer games on TV. She remembered family birthdays, anniversaries, and special events with a card and a "crispy" five dollar bill. Christmas day gatherings with mom at 815 were always happy, spirited events; memories of those celebrations will last a lifetime.\r\nMom and dad enjoyed camping with family and their City Hall friends, and made several winter trips to Florida to visit retired neighbors. Mom was only 54 when she lost dad, much too early, but following his death, she took pride in learning to drive and successfully manage her household. She flew cross-country numerous times to visit her children and grandchildren. She dearly loved her grandchildren and considered them to be special blessings. Mom's strong Catholic faith was very important to her, as was her Irish heritage. She was a great mom, much loved, and will be greatly missed.\r\nMary is survived by her six children, Gene (Anne) O'Brien of Hartford, WI; Mary Kay "Kate" (Jeff) Burgess of Eau Claire; Patrick (Deian) O'Brien of Edina, MN; Susan (Bill) Keeton of Eau Claire; Jayne (Steve) Wenberg of Hammond, WI; and Margaret "Migs" (Richard) Huleatt of Flagstaff, AZ; 15 grandchildren, Jamie, Mike, Sean, and Colin O'Brien; Sarah and Michelle Burgess; Adam, Denzel, and Tom O'Brien; Bill and Adam Keeton; Kelsey and Ryan Wenberg; and Jessica Babcock and Dan Huleatt; 6 great-grandchildren; brothers, Bill Roach of Green Bay and Art Roach of Eau Claire; special sister-in-law, Mary Strand of Rochester, MN; nieces; nephews; cousins; and friends. \r\nShe was preceded in death by her husband in 1978; her parents; and a brother, Joe Roach.\r\nThe family would like to thank past and present staff of Dove Health Care -- particularly Michelle H., Julie, Jolinda, Jan, Mary Jo, Sally, Judi, Cindy, Tammy, Lindsay, Kevin, Bill, and Nancy -- and the staff of Northwest Hospice and St. Joseph's Hospice for the care Mary received while a resident at the facility and for the support given to her family. \r\nMass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 9, 2008, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th Street, with Father John A. Schultz officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Eau Claire. Friends may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home is serving her family.\r\n"A mother's love's a blessing, no matter where you roam,Keep her while she's living, you'll miss her when she's gone;Love her as in childhood, though feeble, old and grey;For you'll never miss your mother 'til she's buried beneath the clay."Old Irish song

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