Sad passing of local woman in US

Margaret M. “Maggie” O’Brien (64), formerly of Belleen, Nenagh, passed away on Friday, October 17, in New Brunswick, in the US, surrounded by her loving family.

Margaret (née O' Meara), a former member of Nenagh Olympic Athletic Club, was born in the Bronx, New York and was raised in Lorrha, Co Tipperary,  before moving to Belleen, Nenagh, where she graduated from Saint Mary's Secondary School and met her loving husband, Michael, a native of Knockrenehan, Newtown.

Margaret attended Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, where she earned her teaching degree and formed many lifelong friends.

Margaret married her secondary school sweetheart in 1984, and the two started their family in Borrisokane, while she started her teaching career in Banagher, Co Offaly.

MOVE TO US

Soon after, in 1986, they welcomed their first daughter, Michelle, before moving to New Jersey in 1987.

Margaret began teaching at Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville, and the couple welcomed their second daughter, Dervela.

She later embraced life as a full-time mother and part-time waitress at Jack O’Connor’s, and eventually, Chimney Rock Inn, where “Maggie” forged incredible bonds with friends who became family.

LOVE FOR FAMILY

In 1991, Michael and Margaret joyfully welcomed their son, Liam. Margaret’s devotion and love for her family and friends were never-ending. Maggie was an old soul who loved tracing family lineage and her Irish roots.

She was fun-loving and enjoyed hosting and bringing together family and friends, which usually led to late night sessions ending in an Irish singalong.

She enjoyed cooking, time spent at the beach and travelling. Additionally, she adored what may have been her greatest companion, her chocolate labrador, Jackson.

She is predeceased by her father, Sean O’Meara, the well known Lorrha hurler and long-serving Co Tipperary GAA referee.

Margaret leaves behind, to cherish her memory, her loving husband of 41 years, Michael J. O’Brien; children, Michelle O’Brien Chaves and her husband, Edgar; Dervela (O’Brien) Paul and her husband, Brandon  and Liam O’Brien; mother, Margaret Peg O’Meara (Belleen, Nenagh); sisters, Olivia O’Meara, Valerie O’Meara, Marie (O’Meara) Keane, her husband, John, and their children, Aoife and Eoin.

Margaret is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins and many loving friends.

Perhaps her greatest pride in life was her grandchildren, Declan Chaves, Caleb Chaves and Aidan Paul.

Hours after leaving this earth, Margaret took into her angel arms and delivered from heaven her granddaughter, Brienna Dervela Paul.

Margaret’s funeral ceremonies took place on Thursday and Friday, October 23-24, in the US.