O'Brien, Dorothy Mae

Dorothy Mae O'Brien, 86, died Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in her home at The Villages of Marion. Visitation will be from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion. Rosary at 2 p.m., Vigil service at 2:30 p.m. Funeral Mass is at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marion. Burial: Calvary Cemetery in Ryan, Iowa.

Survivors include her seven children, Theresa Chapel and Mike (Kathy) O'Brien of Cedar Rapids, Kevin (Wilma) O'Brien of Marion, Danny (Kathy) O'Brien of Seneca, Kan., Mary (Bob) Petersmith of Cedar Rapids, Shawn (Teresa) O'Brien and Dennis (Sheryl) O'Brien of Springville; 23 grandchildren, Brett Chapel, Stephanie (Chapel) Helle, Scott O'Brien, T.J. O'Brien, Stacie Earle, Casey O'Brien, Kelli O'Brien, Michelle (Brinker) Georg, Ashley Brinker, Brandon Brinker, Dane Brinker, Bryan Petersmith, Curtis Petersmith, Cory Petersmith, Kevin O'Brien, Logan O'Brien, Tony Crock, Christina Mumm, Courtney (O'Brien) Akers, Colleen O'Brien, Callie O'Brien, Corinne Bright and Marin (Bright) Kurtenbach; and seven great-grandchildren, Aidan and Carson Helle, Casey Mae and Gabe O'Brien, Jaelyn and Alexander Petersmith and Isabella Akers.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Dorrance; parents, Walter and Olive Gaffney; her brothers, James and Joseph Gaffney; her sisters, Frances Stevenson, Patricia Oehler, Phyllis Miller and Jane Tow; and her sister-in-law, Doreen Duggan.

Dorothy was born the daughter of Walter and Olive Gaffney on Sept. 20, 1926, in Ryan, Iowa. She married Dorrance “Pete” O'Brien on Aug. 20, 1949, in Cedar Rapids. In her early years she worked at Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids. Later, once her children were grown, she worked at Linn County Extension Service and Dows Dairy. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Marion, the Ryan American Legion Auxiliary, Post 692 and enjoyed many years volunteering at Mercy Hospital.

Dorothy loved the “farm” she and Dorrance “Pete” bought outside of Marion. It was a great place to gather with family and friends which happened often, all were welcome. Dorothy cherished her Irish heritage. She enjoyed gardening, a good game of cards, crossword puzzles and bingo. Most of all, Dorothy was proud of her children, that they are committed to spending time and having fun together. She viewed this as a reflection of her good mothering.

Memorial donations can be made to The American Diabetes Association and Hospice Compassus.

Please sign the online guest book for Dorothy at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 28, 2012.