Shrewsbury – Doris O’Brien was always a phone call away… literally. She loved staying in constant contact either via cell phone, or landline with all of her family whom she adored. It’s one of those simple things in life that will now be a void, but always a fond memory in their lives. On Thursday, March 2, 2017 she died in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family. She was 90.
Doris A. Taylor was born October 13, 1926 in Worcester, a daughter of the late William A. and Katherine E. (Barry). Raised and educated in Worcester, she was a graduate of Saint Peter’s High School with the class of 1944. She married William G. ‘Obie’ O’Brien in Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Worcester on December 2, 1950 and has been a resident of Shrewsbury for over 58 years. In heaven she is reunited with Obie, who died December 9, 2014.
In addition to raising five children, she worked as office manager for Lane Employment Agency for many years before retiring.
Her life was simple and it involved the love and companionship of her family… especially her grandchildren. And, when things were quiet, she loved reading a good book or doing puzzles.
In addition to her husband, Obie, she was predeceased by her siblings, William Taylor, Margaret Roy, and Marion Markowski.
She leaves her children, Helen C. DiPilato and her husband Joseph of Osterville, Patrice M. Palermo and her husband John of Oxford, Suzanne Carelli and her husband Thomas of Oxford, Lisa Ryan and her husband Michael of Whitinsville, and William G. O’Brien III and his wife Nina of Shrewsbury; her 12 grandchildren, Christopher and Dean DiPilato, Jonna and Jay Palermo, Brian, Craig and Kevin Carelli, Kilian and Taylor Ryan, Catherine, William IV, and Meghan O’Brien; three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Ryan and Major DiPilato; and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor and remember Doris’ life by gathering Monday, March 6 at Saint Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Tpke., where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to St. Anne’s Human Services, 130 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
