Shirley Arline O'Brien

Shirley Arline (Currier) O'Brien, 84, formerly of North Ashland St. Worcester, MA passed through the pearly gates of Heaven on Thursday, November 15, 2018 in the arms of her daughter at the Florida home they shared together.

Her husband of 44 years, James S. O'Brien, Jr. passed away in 1999. She leaves five children, Donna-Marie O'Brien of Nokomis, FL with whom she lived, Michael S. O'Brien of Richmond, VA, James J. O'Brien of Worcester, Daniel A. O'Brien of Barre and Joseph T. O'Brien of Indianapolis, IN; two brothers, Gerald A. Currier of Nokomis, FL and Elmer A. Currier of White Hills, AZ, a sister, Joanne E. Guertin of West Brookfield; 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and friends. She was born in Worcester, daughter of Elmer and Arline (Menard) Currier.

Shirley was an amazingly beautiful woman, both inside and out, who touched the lives of everyone she met. She will be greatly missed by many, many people.
Her number one enjoyment in life was spending time with her family. She had a way of making everyone feel special because everyone was special to her. Her favorite topic was you. She was always gentle natured and kind and never had to think twice before offering help to anyone in need. She loved the Lord and she loved her family. Her family wasn't limited to relatives but to all those blessed enough to become family to her.

Shirley treasured the time she spent with friends and family. She really enjoyed traveling and seeing new places, playing card and board games, going to the movies, listening to music, dancing in the family room or lounging at the beach or by the pool. Shirley was a voracious reader and her thirst for knowledge never ceased, she excelled at crossword puzzles and complex computer games. Her favorite pastime was to sit outside on the patio swing, watching the palm trees gently sway in the blue skies and sun of Florida, the place she loved and called home for almost eighteen years.

Shirley's Catholic faith was extremely important to her. She was a member of St Thomas Moore parish in Sarasota, Florida. During her time living in Worcester Shirley was an active participant in the Tuesday night prayer meetings at St. John's on Temple Street. Shirley also was active in the Charismatic Renewal and attended many of their conferences. One of Shirley's favorite trips was a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Shirley retired as a Secretary from the WPI Athletic Department, previously she worked as a Secretary for the Worcester Public Schools, Iandoli Supermarkets as a bookkeeper and Heywood-Brunmark Automobiles where her and her late husband met.

The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, December 7 at 10AM in Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove St. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. A reception to celebrate her life will be held at the church hall. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in her name to the Venice Tidewell Hospice at the following address: Tidewell Hospice, Philanthropy Department, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements in the care of Callahan Fay Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester.