Maureen F. (Torgersen) O'Brien, 1961-2011

Maureen “Moe” (Torgersen) O’Brien was born in Amarillo, Texas to the late Mary (Graham) and Jim Torgersen on February 27, 1961.

Being from a military family, Moe moved quit a bit, spending a great deal of her childhood in Limerick, Ireland. The family settled in Roslindale MA in the late 1970’s, but Moe frequently referred to Ireland as “home.” Though she was the first to correct someone who mistakenly assumed she was from Ireland, for Moe took great pride in the people and travels that made up her childhood years, when she was “rallied up” or a “wee bit tired,” a hint of that Irish brogue was subtly heard in her sweet voice.

The youngest of five children, Maureen laughed when she told stories how even as an adult, her siblings Kathy, Patsy, Michael and Kevin still treated her as “the baby” - a role she cherished and said she “wouldn’t trade for the world.”

Moe traveled to Alaska in the 1980’s, a story she was very proud to share. Because of her gracious and winning personality she successfully sold ice cream to the locals! Moe returned to Boston and settled Hyde Park with husband Sean O’Brien. If you were to ask Moe about Sean, she would proudly tell you, with that infamous twinkle in her eye, he single-handedly built the Zakim Bridge. She was extremely proud of her family and the three children she and Sean were blessed with; daughters Sinead and Deirdre, and son Aengus – all of whom meant the world to her.

Her daughters are “her girls.” Moe proudly shared stories of her children, telling the stories in the way only Moe could, giving the feeling of you were looking through her cherished family photos or watching home movies over a cup of tea. With each story and each new chapter, you could feel Moe’s heart swell with pride as she spoke of her “girls” growing into young women. She often said, “No matter how old they are, even when they are fifty they will always be “my girls.”

Moe had a very special bond with all of her children, but her positive attitude and the respect she had for each person, even the smallest things in life, lives in her youngest child. Her son Aengus is the life she lived.

She treasured every moment they shared, but her favorite time of day was curling up with Aengus and reading stories over a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream, sometimes secretly watching cartoons well past bedtime “just because.” She shared her love of nature with her youngest, especially this last year. She never gave up the opportunity to go for a simple walk with Aengus, to splash in rain puddles (they even owned matching rain boots), to catch snowflakes on their tongues or go sledding, even on the blusteriest winter days. She wanted Aengus to have every moment she could give him and to do all of the things she did with her girls when they were young. Moe wanted every single moment with each one of her children. There was nothing more important to her then being a mother and making sure her children knew every moment of her life was for them.

Maureen was a daughter, a mother, a sister and an auntie. She was a wonderful friend to young and old. She was a teacher and a quiet inspiration. She was a magpie, a sidewalk shopper, a scatterbrain and a storyteller. She loved nature, poetry and books. She was a writer, an artist and her spirit was free. Most of all she treasured the people in her life and all the little things that made up of her life. And no matter who you were, you felt her unconditional love everyday, which is rare. To know Maureen O’Brien was a gift, and in knowing her we are forever changed.

Maureen peacefully passed away at home in Norwood surrounded by family and friends on Friday July 8, 2011. Although she fought ovarian cancer for the last two and a half years Moe left a smile wherever she went and a footprint on every heart.

We love you Moe. We’ll miss you.

Maureen’s life will be remembered at The Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St., West Roxbury on Monday July 18, visiting hours are from 6-9pm. A memorial talk will be given at 2pm on Saturday July 23 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1345 River St., Hyde Park, 02136. In lieu of flowers, family and friends ask that donations be made to The Norwood Circle of Hope Foundation, P.O. Box 421, Norwood MA 02062