November 3, 1924 – November 28, 2023
Delightful storyteller, fun-loving and gregarious, tender caregiver, creative and talented seamstress with a spirited Irish wit, are just a few of the ways those who loved her, describe Mary O’Brien, CSJ.
She was born the middle child of seven on a farm on Prince Edward Island, Canada, to Herbert and Mary (Gavin) O’Brien, on November 3, 1924. She died peacefully on November 23, 2023, at Carondelet Village in St. Paul.
With the Depression and long distances to school, Mary was unable to attend until the age of 10, and she didn’t graduate from grade school until she was 18. Mary was determined to ensure that her siblings didn’t miss out, so she applied and taught for one year in a one-room schoolhouse with 17 students of varying ages. She was 25 at this point, the same year she decided to courageously journey to St. Paul, Minnesota, and enter the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, where she was given the name Sister Philomene. In those early years, Mary’s ministry work included laundry and refectory services at the Catholic Boys Home in Minneapolis and at the St. Paul Seminary. From there, her interests shifted to nursing, learning first at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis, and then as a nurse’s aide at Bethany Convent. In 1968, she received a Licensed Practical Nursing Certificate from Hastings Regina Hospital in Minnesota. This allowed her to serve for 16 years at St. Michael’s Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Bethany Lutheran Nursing Home in Fargo. Mary went on to receive an occupational therapy degree from North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota in 1980.
Upon her return to St. Paul, Mary entered a massage program run by Sister Rosalind Gefre, CSJ, and worked as a massage therapist for 19 years, all the while continuing nursing as a home health nurse and occupational therapist.
Mary was a gifted seamstress offering mending and alterations to her sister community for more than 30 years. Additionally, she was an avid gardener who took great pride in her red and pink roses. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Rita O’Brien, CSJ, Theresa O’Brien, CSJ, and Bernetta Rankin; her brothers Alfred Zeno, Camillus, and Gerard O’Brien. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, cousins, dear friends, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates, St. Paul Province. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 21st, at 11 :00 AM, in Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.
Memorials are preferred to the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministries Foundation.
Dear Mary, rest in love and peace.
Rest in peace, Sister Mary