Obituary of Sr. Dorothy T. O'Brien

Sister Dorothy O’Brien, CND (Sr. St. Dorothy of Mary) a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame died peacefully at Lourdes Health Care Center in Wilton, CT on Friday, October 13, 2017 at the age of 90.  At her bedside were her nephew and sisters of her Community whose songs and hymns  accompanied her to her God. Sister Dorothy was born in New York City the daughter of  John J. O’Brien and Ellen Coyle O’Brien.  In addition to her parents, Sister was pre-deceased by two sisters, Margaret and Eleanor and three brothers John, Frank, and Monsignor Joseph O’Brien of the Archdiocese of New York.  Sister Dorothy is mourned by her many faithful nieces and nephews, their children and her Sisters in the Congregation of Notre Dame.  Sister’s wake and funeral Mass were celebrated at Villa Notre Dame in Wilton.

Sister Dorothy pronounced her first vows in Montreal, Canada in August, 1948 and her perpetual vows in 1954.  Immediately afterward, Sister was missioned to Japan.  She served there for ten years in educational positions in schools administered by the Congregation of Notre Dame.  Her years in Japan had a profound influence on her. During her almost 69 years of professed religious life Sister worked as teacher and guidance counselor in CND schools in New York and Connecticut. In her later years she served as a social worker and spiritual guide for many: the elderly, those in 12 step programs, and other who searched for God in their lives.

Sister Dorothy enlivened all whose lives she touched by her deep questioning, her welcoming of the truths of other religious traditions, her depth and variety of reading materials, and her conversations with so many. She loved life, celebrations, dramatic moments, her CND community and her extended lively O’Brien clan.