Patricia Bernadette O'Brien 1927-2015 Patricia B. O'Brien passed peacefully on September 2, 2015 at the age of 88. Her husband of 63 years, Dick, as well as her children, relatives, close friends, and caregivers surrounded her in her last days. Patricia was born on Feb 2, 1927 in Los Angeles, CA. She was the daughter of Mathias and Bernadette Becker, and the sister of Ralph, George, Paul, and Rosemary. Pat grew up in the great depression, and sometimes talked about her humble start in life. She said that despite the hardships, it was a time when families were close, all the money was shared, and people took care of each other. Growing up, Pat found her niche in academics. She was an excellent student, and was proud to receive a scholarship and attend St Mary's Academy in Inglewood, CA. Later, she attended Mount St Mary's College in Los Angeles, where she studied microbiology and graduated magna cum laude. After college, Pat worked at the lab of a local hospital. One day she went to a friend's backyard party, and met Dick O'Brien, a young WWII veteran. They married one year later. As newlyweds, they built their first house on Barlin Avenue in Lakewood, and attended St. Pancratius Church. Soon afterwards, the children started to arrive. Dick started a new job with Mattel Toys in El Segundo. With a growing family, they moved to the new community of Redondo Beach. They became founding members of St Lawrence Martyr Church in Redondo Beach. The church played a central role in their marriage and their family. They sent their eight children through St Lawrence Martyr and later Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance. Pat was an active member of the St Lawrence Guild, and had life-long friendships with many people in the church. When her youngest child was in third grade, Pat returned to work at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance CA. She worked in the lab as a med tech. Pat loved her work in the hospital. For 20 years, Pat became an expert at helping people get better. In 1994, Pat and Dick moved to a new community in Newport Coast, CA. They were regular attendees at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church in Irvine. Pat had retired, yet she volunteered weekly at Irvine Regional Hospital. Her grandchildren often visited, and she enjoyed many hours gardening and crafting with them. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, and religiously watching her LA Clipper team. Pat and Dick moved to Leisure World Seal Beach in 2012. They were blessed to have wonderful neighbors who were so kind to Pat in her last few years. Pat had developed significant health problems that would have kept anyone else in bed; yet time after time she rallied to get well. At the end of her life, Pat had loving family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers who sat with her, shared stories, and reflected on her long life. Her husband Dick and children, Molly Phillips, Teri O'Brien, Catherine O'Brien, Julie O'Brien, Tom O'Brien, Mary Csere, Mike O'Brien, and Eileen Anderson, are grateful for the love and support Pat received at this time. She will be missed by her sons in law John Phillips, Csaba Csere, and Robert Anderson, and her daughter in law Kim. Her grandchildren, Ian and Sean O'Brien, Shannon Becker O'Brien, Madeline Csere, and Mimi Anderson were the light of her life. She loved Ian's wife Katie, and looked forward to the birth of her first great granddaughter. Over the years, Pat had too many friends to list here. As she transitioned, and she could no longer speak, the family sat with her and shared story after story of those earlier times. It gave her great comfort. At the time she passed, she said was ready to join her family and friends that went before. Pat wanted academic opportunities for all children. In lieu of flowers, a donation to St Mary's Academy in Inglewood, CA would please Pat immeasurably. St Mary's Academy 701 Grace Avenue, Inglewood CA 90301. Her life will be celebrated with a funeral mass on September 12 at 10:00am at St. Pancratius Catholic Church, 3519 St. Pancratius Place in Lakewood, CA.
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