Obituary of Beatrice M. O'Brien

Beatrice M. O’Brien, “Bea” passed away early Friday morning, November 2, 2018 at the Vincent House in Wayland.  Bea was born June 18, 1920 in Elizabeth, NJ the daughter of William and Ida Mae (Stevens) Kahl.

Bea grew up in New York City and graduated from Jamaica High School in Queens, NY and later graduated from St. Francis Nursing School.  She was employed briefly as a pediatric nurse at Queens General Hospital.  From 1944-1945 Bea served her country as an Ensign in the United States Navy Nursing Corp.   It was during this time that Bea met George O’Brien.  They were married January 20, 1945 and together they celebrated 68 years of marriage prior to George passing away December 23, 2013.    Bea and George had a passion for dancing, especially the “Swing!”

Throughout the years, Bea and George resided in many different areas as they moved with his employment on the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad.    They moved to Hornell in 1965 and settled at Loon Lake in 1968.  Bea was employed by different healthcare facilities throughout the years as a registered nurse.  St. James Mercy Hospital and Noyes Memorial Hospital being her most recent.

Bea was an accomplished author and poet who published 8 books.  For years she wrote columns for the Cuba Patriot Newspaper.  Her novel “One Track” is the story of her family’s life on the railroad.  Bea’s most recent publication, “Embers” is a book of poetry about WWII.  She also authored children’s books and coloring books.

Bea created the Hornell Area Poets Theatre and served as director for 25 years.  She and her husband were very active with the Hornell Area Arts Council and she taught poetry as a form of therapy at the VA.     Other writing groups she was involved with were the Poets and Writers of NYC, Author’s Guild, Rochester Poet’s Society, Wayland Writer’s Group and the Writer’s Round Table of Hornell.  Bea was a volunteer for Project Reach which was instrumental in providing healthcare for migrants in the area.  She was also instrumental in re-settling 2 Vietnamese families into the Wayland community.

Bea was pre-deceased by her parents; her husband George O’Brien; her sons-in-law, James Yannie and Gerald Morsch; her brothers, Paul, Frank and Andy Kahl; and her brother-in-law Walter O’Brien.  She is survived by her children, Bonnie Yannie of Rochester, Dennis (Lynda) O’Brien of Hornell, Bill (Nancy) O’Brien of Trumansburg, Maureen Morsch of San Francisco, CA, Lisa (Dennis) Kinney of Rochester and Lynn (Shawn) Bliven of Franklinville; 15 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren; her sister and best friend, Norma Holley,  her sisters-in-law Gloria Kahl of Andover and Dolores O’Brien; along with many nieces and nephews. 

Bea’s family and friends may call Monday from 1-3 at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland.  Bea’s funeral service will be Monday at 3pm at the funeral home.  Committal prayers, military honors and interment will take place at the Bath Veterans Cemetery, Bath, NY at the convenience of her family.    Contributions in memory of Beatrice M. O’Brien may be made to the Vincent House, 310 Second Ave., Wayland, NY 14572.  .