Barbara Mary O'Brien

Barbara Mary O’Brien, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2025, at the age of 92. She was born on November 6, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, lived most of her adult life in the western suburbs of Chicago, and made the brave decision to relocate to Cincinnati at the age of 89 to be near family. She left behind a legacy for living life to the fullest.

Barbara was a dynamo and a whirlwind with a creative spirit and love. Whether knitting, sewing, playing the piano, or decorating, her talents and energy were inspiring. She loved the theater, classical music, museums, and was a voracious reader who frequented libraries her entire life. Her love of learning never faded. Later in life she took up gardening, cultivating calm and beauty in her backyard. She enrolled in community college classes – on topics like art history – well into her 80s. She was also an avid traveler, eager to explore new cultures.

She cared for everyone around her – volunteering at a food pantry for years and distributing communion at the local hospital. Most of all, she loved her family. She cared for her aging parents and in her final years, she cared for her ailing daughter, Mary Beth, showing up daily with generosity and strength.

She is survived by her cherished children, Susan (Nick) Tannura, Michael O’Brien, Catherine (Robert) Fitzgerald, and Laura (Francis) Miller; and her beloved grandchildren Elizabeth Tannura (Lynn Fowler), Nicholas Tannura, Carolyn Tannura, Kaitlin (Brady) Jewett, Patrick Taylor, Sean (Caroline) Fitzgerald, Christopher Fitzgerald, Andrew Fitzgerald, Fiona Miller, and Ella Miller; along with great-grandchildren Teddy Jewett, Samuel Jewett, Miles Jewett, and Carson Fitzgerald as well as her brother Buz (Barbara) Shalla.

Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband, Leonard O’Brien, daughter Mary Taylor, her parents Leon and Mary Shalla, and brother Leon Shalla.

The family would like to thank Wellington and Grace Hospice for the care and compassion they showed Barbara in her final days,

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of her life at Assumption Catholic Cemetery’s Chapel located at 1S510 Winfield Rd., Wheaton, IL 60189 on Saturday, September 13 at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local library in her name.