Mary Catharine O’Brien, 93, of Aberdeen, Washington, passed peacefully into Heaven on May 14, 2021, at Harbor Regional Health Community Hospital in Aberdeen.

Mary was born on Feb. 7, 1928, to John J. Norris and Mary C. McHugh Norris in the Bronx, New York City.

She loved growing up in the big city and working her first jobs at Macy’s and on Wall Street.

She married John Patrick O’Brien in the Bronx on Aug. 12, 1950, and bore two miracle babies, John and Patricia. The family moved to “the land of milk and honey” Aberdeen, Washington, in 1960 to join other transplanted family members.

Mary was fun-loving and made a large circle of friends. She enjoyed homemaking, supporting her children’s activities, camping, caregiving and foster parenting. She was a devout member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Aurilla’s Guild.

After her husband died in 1991, Mary joined the Fern Hill Solos group, Dorothy Mann’s Birthday Club, and Christian Women’s Club. She enjoyed extensive traveling and long “solving the world’s problems” chats with friends. Mary had deep faith and trust in her Savior Jesus Christ and spent much time in prayer and in sending cards of encouragement.

Mary is survived by her sister Elizabeth Gutman of Island Park, New York; brother John Norris of New Rochelle, New York; children John O’Brien (Leslie) of Aberdeen and daughter Patricia Tupper (Dan); grandchildren Dan Tupper (Jolene) of Aberdeen and Katelyn Tupper of Long Beach, California; and great-grandchildren Daniel, Weston, and Silver Tupper.

We gratefully acknowledge Eucharistic ministers for the homebound, Tom Isaacson and Jeannine Bramstedt, who visited her weekly for many years.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, May 24, at Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Aberdeen.

Arrangements are in the care of Fern Hill Funeral Home.