Helen Marie O'Brien of Wilmington, DE, formerly of Woodcliff Lake, NJ, died at home on Thursday, January 29, 2015 surrounded by her family.
Born to the late Peter Aloysius Dirr and Marie Sabina Schwenzer, Helen attended St. Joseph's College for Women in Brooklyn, NY and Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. She earned her PhD in Early Childhood Development from Catholic University. Helen taught a variety of grade levels, from elementary through college, during her long career, and in addition to teaching, was the founder of the Englewood Cliffs Montessori School and Montessori Learning Center of Pascack Valley. In addition to her professional pursuits, Helen was active in IHM Social Ministry and with the local chapter of the AARP.
Helen was predeceased by her siblings, Maria Clara Zimmerman, Peter George Dirr, John Paul Dirr, Sr., Gertrude Marie Kane, Joseph Frederick Dirr, Teresa Marie Ann Little, Francis Aloysius Dirr, Margaret Mary Vasak, and Catherine Mary Amberson. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Francis L O'Brien; son, Paul James O'Brien and his wife Melissa; siblings, Ann Marie Hannon, James Aloysius Dirr, and Sabina Marie Grimmelbein; 44 nieces and nephews; 83 great nieces and nephews; and 39 great-great nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Monday, February 2 from 5-8 pm at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. Overflow parking is available at the Brandywine YMCA. Another viewing will be held the following day from 11 am to 11:45 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Rd., Wilmington, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Helen's name to Manna Worldwide, 4255 W. Risinger Rd., Ft. Worth, TX 76123
To send messages of condolence to the family please visit www.mccreryand harra.com
Born to the late Peter Aloysius Dirr and Marie Sabina Schwenzer, Helen attended St. Joseph's College for Women in Brooklyn, NY and Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. She earned her PhD in Early Childhood Development from Catholic University. Helen taught a variety of grade levels, from elementary through college, during her long career, and in addition to teaching, was the founder of the Englewood Cliffs Montessori School and Montessori Learning Center of Pascack Valley. In addition to her professional pursuits, Helen was active in IHM Social Ministry and with the local chapter of the AARP.
Helen was predeceased by her siblings, Maria Clara Zimmerman, Peter George Dirr, John Paul Dirr, Sr., Gertrude Marie Kane, Joseph Frederick Dirr, Teresa Marie Ann Little, Francis Aloysius Dirr, Margaret Mary Vasak, and Catherine Mary Amberson. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Francis L O'Brien; son, Paul James O'Brien and his wife Melissa; siblings, Ann Marie Hannon, James Aloysius Dirr, and Sabina Marie Grimmelbein; 44 nieces and nephews; 83 great nieces and nephews; and 39 great-great nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Monday, February 2 from 5-8 pm at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. Overflow parking is available at the Brandywine YMCA. Another viewing will be held the following day from 11 am to 11:45 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Rd., Wilmington, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Helen's name to Manna Worldwide, 4255 W. Risinger Rd., Ft. Worth, TX 76123
To send messages of condolence to the family please visit www.mccreryand harra.com
Helen Marie O'Brien of Wilmington, DE, formerly of Woodcliff Lake, NJ, died at home on Thursday, January 29, 2015 surrounded by her family.
Born to the late Peter Aloysius Dirr and Marie Sabina Schwenzer, Helen attended St. Joseph's College for Women in Brooklyn, NY and Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. She earned her PhD in Early Childhood Development from Catholic University. Helen taught a variety of grade levels, from elementary through college, during her long career, and in addition to teaching, was the founder of the Englewood Cliffs Montessori School and Montessori Learning Center of Pascack Valley. In addition to her professional pursuits, Helen was active in IHM Social Ministry and with the local chapter of the AARP.
Helen was predeceased by her siblings, Maria Clara Zimmerman, Peter George Dirr, John Paul Dirr, Sr., Gertrude Marie Kane, Joseph Frederick Dirr, Teresa Marie Ann Little, Francis Aloysius Dirr, Margaret Mary Vasak, and Catherine Mary Amberson. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Francis L O'Brien; son, Paul James O'Brien and his wife Melissa; siblings, Ann Marie Hannon, James Aloysius Dirr, and Sabina Marie Grimmelbein; 44 nieces and nephews; 83 great nieces and nephews; and 39 great-great nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Monday, February 2 from 5-8 pm at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. Overflow parking is available at the Brandywine YMCA. Another viewing will be held the following day from 11 am to 11:45 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Rd., Wilmington, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Helen's name to Manna Worldwide, 4255 W. Risinger Rd., Ft. Worth, TX 76123
To send messages of condolence to the family please visit www.mccreryand harra.com
Born to the late Peter Aloysius Dirr and Marie Sabina Schwenzer, Helen attended St. Joseph's College for Women in Brooklyn, NY and Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. She earned her PhD in Early Childhood Development from Catholic University. Helen taught a variety of grade levels, from elementary through college, during her long career, and in addition to teaching, was the founder of the Englewood Cliffs Montessori School and Montessori Learning Center of Pascack Valley. In addition to her professional pursuits, Helen was active in IHM Social Ministry and with the local chapter of the AARP.
Helen was predeceased by her siblings, Maria Clara Zimmerman, Peter George Dirr, John Paul Dirr, Sr., Gertrude Marie Kane, Joseph Frederick Dirr, Teresa Marie Ann Little, Francis Aloysius Dirr, Margaret Mary Vasak, and Catherine Mary Amberson. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Francis L O'Brien; son, Paul James O'Brien and his wife Melissa; siblings, Ann Marie Hannon, James Aloysius Dirr, and Sabina Marie Grimmelbein; 44 nieces and nephews; 83 great nieces and nephews; and 39 great-great nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Monday, February 2 from 5-8 pm at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. Overflow parking is available at the Brandywine YMCA. Another viewing will be held the following day from 11 am to 11:45 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Rd., Wilmington, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Helen's name to Manna Worldwide, 4255 W. Risinger Rd., Ft. Worth, TX 76123
To send messages of condolence to the family please visit www.mccreryand harra.com
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