Obituary of Barbara Anne O'Brien

Mother, grandmother, retired elementary school teacher, Barbara Gorzynski O’Brien, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2023.  She was 86 years old.

She was born to Frances and Louis Gorzynski, Sr. on October 21, 1936 and is survived by her beloved children Michelle Quentin, John (Mary Kay) O’Brien, Karen O’Brien and son-in-law Timothy Karl, grandchildren John (Jack), Liam and Madeleine Karl.  Also survived by her brother William Gorzynski, devoted and loving sister-in-law Joyce Gorzynski.  Predeceased by brother Louis Gorzynski, Jr. and sister-in-law Virginia “Fair” Gorzynski; former husband, John "Jack" O'Brien; and son-in-law, Kevin Quentin.  Survived by nephew John Gorzynski and nieces Gail (Dan) Dillion and Jill (John) Elliot.

After graduating from the Academy of Holy Names in 1954, she received her B. S. in economics and business from the College of Saint Rose in 1958. She began her teaching career at Saint James in Albany, New York, which led her to a 52-year career. At 75, after a 42 year tenure at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Delmar New York, she retired, leaving an amazing legacy of learning and growing for thousands of her faithful students. Her love and remembrance for each student, faculty and staff member she knew remained in her heart, always. Her love of teaching was matched only by her inordinate capacity for love and devotion to her three children, grandchildren and family. She was a gifted pianist, who played by ear, fiercely fashionable, a voracious reader, and stubborn grammarian with a killer vocabulary. Her cooking skills were Michelin star worthy. While diminutive in stature, her kindness, joy, and brilliant wit was simply larger than life. Mommy, as you “motor North” know that we toast you today and always. Vodka/Frescas for all!

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, June 9 from 4 to 7 pm at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 am on Saturday, June 10 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Pl., Delmar.  Donations in Barbara’s memory can be made to St. Thomas the Apostle School, 42 Adams Pl, Delmar, NY 12054.