GERTRUDE (Joan) O’BRIEN: 94 passed peacefully away on November 5 in Southbridge, MA. Joan is survived by her loving brothers Brendan O’Brien of Sturbridge and John Thyne of Los Angeles. She has 17 adoring nieces and nephews and is preceded in death by her parents Hazel Pritchard O’Brien, Thomas J. O’Brien and siblings Richard, Patricia, Winifred, Paul, Thomas, Francis, Lawrence, Gail, and Theresa. Joan enriched the lives of students, faculty, and staff inher role as Coordinator of Management Services at the University of Massachusetts; She dedicated her efforts to our country as a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II; And as an amateur genealogist, she discovered her Prichard ancestors were among the founding families of Quaboag Plantation. Viewing scheduled for November 14, 9AM to 11AM at Gormley Funeral Home: 2055 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA. Funeral Mass at St. Theresa-Avila Catholic Church: 2078 Centre Street, West Roxbury. Burial at Knollwood Memorial Park: 319 High St.Canton, MA. Joan’s boundless sense of humor never waned and said she preferred flowers in life than in death. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s name to the compassionate staff at Harrington Hospital: https://www.harringtonhospital.org/support-harrington/
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