Posted on September 6, 2023
Dominican Sister of Peace Mauryeen O’Brien, OP, (92), of Flushing, NY, died at Mohun Health Care Center, Columbus, OH, on August 22, 2023.
Sr. Mauryeen was born to Aline Kehoe and Leo O’Brien in 1930. In 1949, she made her Profession as a Dominican Sister and has spent the last 74 years serving God’s people.
Sr. Mauryeen earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio Dominican University and a Master of Arts in English from Notre Dame University.
She served in Divorce and Bereavement Ministries for over 30 years, was a retreat director, teacher, and administrator in schools in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois, and was a published author. She also journeyed as a companion with Sisters entering the Congregation.
Her work with the bereaved will live on through the five books she wrote on dealing with grief and loss and through the “New Day Program,” which is used nationally.
Sr. Mauryreen was beloved at Albertus Magnus College where she served on the Board of Trustees for many years. In 2015, she was awarded an honorary doctorate.
In her preaching at the funeral Sr. Anne Kilbride, said, “In all her ministries, she relied on God’s grace as she helped others find their peace. She did this with a listening ear, speaking with kindness and gentleness even when it was difficult, recognizing these gifts were from her loving God.”
She was preceded in death by her parents Leo O’Brien and Aline Kehoe O’Brien, and her brothers Brian O’Brien and Eugene O’Brien, S.J.
A vigil of remembrance was held on September 5, 2023, at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel, Columbus, OH.
The funeral liturgy was held at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse Chapel on September 6, 2023, followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery by Egan-Ryan Funeral Home.
Memorial gifts in Sr. Mauryeen’s memory may be submitted securely online or sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219.
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