RITA JOYCE O’BRIEN
July 31, 1932-August 28, 2022
Rita Joyce lannuzzi(o) O’Brien passed away on August 28, 2022, in Weatherford, Texas at the age of 90. She left this world peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Rita was the daughter of Anthony lannuzzi(o) and Bessie Harriet
Goodlander.
She was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband of fifty-seven years, Lt. Col. William J. O’Brien, and by her namesake, granddaughter Rita Davis.
Rita worked for many years for Bell Telephone and for Dillard’s Department Store in San Antonio. Although active in community activities, she was especially devoted to her family. She took a keen interest in genealogy and was a member of the Shikelimo Chapter, Pennsylvania Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She is survived by her children, Margaret Davis and husband, Russell; William J. O’Brien III and wife, Theresa; Bridget Mullins and husband, Kelvin; Tracy Daleiden and husband, Joseph; Daniel O’Brien and wife, Angela; and Eileen O’Brien, as well as ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Memorial services in Austin are planned for a future date. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre
Cemetery in Philadelphia, PA.
Rita’s family is greatly appreciative of the outstanding care given by the staff at Holland Lake Rehabilitation Center, Alpha Omega Hospice in Weatherford, Texas, and Debra Stirling, her personal caregiver. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Shikelimo Chapter. National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, c/o Rhonda Newton, Treasurer, 376 High Street, Milton, PA 17847.
Ellen Hannon
What a beautiful photo!
I was fortunate to know Mrs. O’Brien since the late 1960’s, when I attended Mt. St. Mary Academy in Newburgh, N.Y. with her first born child (and my best friend), Margaret. Over the years, I would occasionally see Mrs. O’Brien and was impressed by her calm and eloquent way of speaking, her stately, cultured, and peaceful manner. My little daughter, Emily, when only 7, met
Mrs. O’Brien for the first time –
and has carried special memories of that visit for the past
20 years. Mrs. O’Brien sent Emily,
as a child, a book which she has
always treasured. Although I
dearly loved my own mother, I
always felt that Mrs. O’Brien’s
temperament was more closely
suited to my own, a fact which I
freely shared with Margaret. What more can I say? While I
mourn the passing of this
wonderful woman, and extend my deepest sympathy to her
entire family, I realize that she
lived a long and rich live, and was
now ready to go home, where she is cradled in God’s loving arms.
Bridget Mullins
Sincere thanks to all who have reached out to our family with expressions of love and support.
Cathleen DeLaGarza
Our heartfelt condolences for the entire O’Brien family.
John & Chris Halligan
Our hearts goes out to your family for the loss of your dear mother. We know how much she meant to you all. We will keep you in our prayers.
Mary Saiidi
It was a pleasure meeting with Rita at various family gatherings She was a lovely, kind and thoughtful person.
I am grateful to have known her and I am certain she is resting in a “better place “ with family and friends who have gone before her.
May her family be assured of our thoughts and prayers during this time of grief.