Rita Marie O'Brien
March 28, 1920 to July 16, 2024
Obituary
Passed peacefully away with her family by her side at Ruby Manor Retirement Home, Rita Marie O’Brien of St. John’s formerly of The Nook, Cape Broyle on July 16, 2024 at the age of 104 years.
She is predeceased by her parents William and Bridget O’Brien; her seven sisters, Ellen, Mary, Magdalen, Lucy, Ephrem, Josephine, and Theresa. Her four brothers, Phonse, John, Charlie and Bernard.
Leaving to mourn her special nephew Randy O’Brien who was by her side acting as her advisor and decision maker for many years as her dementia progressed. Also leaving to mourn a large circle of nieces, nephews and friends.
Aunt Rita was a retired school teacher who spent most of her teaching days at Holy Heart of Mary in St. John’s before retiring. She also spent a lot of years teaching in several other schools over the course of her teaching career. She was often asked why she never married and her response was “well, nobody would have me”. She like to make people laugh so she attributed her longevity to never marrying.
The family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Jean and Gerald Fahey and their staff at Fahey’s Personal Care Home in Fermeuse where she resided for nine years before going to Ruby Manor in St. John’s for her last year. She was treated like family at Jean’s as she called her and we are forever grateful. Also, the owners and staff at Ruby Manor deserve a special thank you for all their wonderful care of Aunt Rita this past year especially Susan Carew who went above and beyond during Aunt Rita’s last days.
A heartfelt thank you also going out to Dr. Dennis O’Keefe and members of the Palliative Care Team for their professionalism and compassion shown to Aunt Rita and her family this past week.
While it is impossible to thank everyone, who helped out in any way over the years, your kindness and generosity is so greatly appreciated.
Visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, St. John’s, NL on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, Cape Broyle at 11:00 a.m., on July 24, 2024. Inurnment to follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery (old cemetery) in Cape Broyle. A celebration of her life will be held at Cape Broyle Community Centre following her service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cape Broyle Cemetery Committee, the Hall Reception Group or a charity of one’s choice.
Schedule
Visitations
2-9 p.m. on July 23, 2024
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00am, Wednesday July 24th
Immaculate Conception Church, Cape Broyle
Inurnment to follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery (old cemetery) in Cape Broyle.
So sorry to hear of Rita’s passing. Condolences to the family. Rita was a customer of mine at TD and we had so many lovely conversation. She was a lovely lady.
Rita O’Brien was a teacher who made a difference in so many ways for the thousands of students she taught. World History was such a fascinating subject for us in grade 11 at Holy Heart of Mary High School in 1966-1967. Current events became more important for us a teenagers. She gave us an excellent foundation in assigning us to do a research paper in grade 11 that stood me in good stead at Littledale. Whenever I met her in later years it was a pleasure to have a good conversation with her. When I remember Ms. O’Brien, I have carried something of who she was with me. I was blessed in having her as teacher and I know that she has left a mark on me and who I am because of her. Condolences to her family.
Condolences to the family of Miss O’Brien. She taught me back in the sixties at Holy Heart. She was a wonderful and a great teacher. I often thought of her throughout the years. She was a wonderful lady and a great teacher. I will keep her in my prayers. May she rest in peace.
My sympathy to Rita’s extended family and friends. I met her often with Sister Magdalen and was always impressed with her dedication to the teaching profession and her love for her students. May your memories of her bring you joy.
Miss O’Brien taught me History @ Holy Heart in the seventies- as a Teacher – she was the best She educated me on the 1st & 2nd wars – the facts & the back story. She was a ‘hard task master’ & expected the best from you & when you did your best & you got ‘good job’ & that made my day. Thank-you Miss O’Brien- rest in peace
Our condolences to all family in the loss of our Aunt Rita have lots of memories of her when growing up especially the ones where we had to show her our report card and wait for her comments and what we had to do to improve and her visits to Toronto over her younger years May she RIP We will treasure all the great memories Louise and Paddy and family
my deepest condolences to all who knew her
Condolences to your family on the passing of your dear Aunt Rita. My mother Lillian
( Greene) Collins was a friend of Rita’s for many years ( the years she lived at Terra Nova Rd) if I remember correctly.
My mother was also a teacher from that era, and always spoke fondly of Rita. Their friendship went back to Littledale teaching training or MUN campus on Parade St.in the late 30s ,early 40s. Their teaching careers could have intersected in the early 40s in Colinet, Mundy Pond or Portugal Cove South. My mother passed away in 2014, and in the years since I have often thought of Rita and spoke of her to my children.
Bless your family for the care and love you have shown your beloved Aunt.
Condolences to Rita’s family on her passing. She was such a happy, positive person and we really looked forward to her visits after she retired.. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Sorry to hear of Miss OBrien,s passing. She was my home room teacher and Latin teacher at Holy Heart in the 1960,s. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. 🙏