Mary Josephine Theresa O'Brien

     Mary Josephine Theresa O'Brien was born in 1924 at Topsail Pond, Newfoundland.¹ She married Gerald Kenneth Arrowsmith, son of Sylvester Scott Arrowsmith and Ella Maud Beyea, on 2 November 1953 at Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick.^2,1 Mary Josephine Theresa O'Brien died on 5 September 2008 at Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick; At her home in Saint John, NB on September 5, 2008, Mary Arrowsmith who had been suffering from cancer passed away peacefully in her 84th year to be with her Lord, with her loving family by her side. Born in 1924 in Topsail Pond, NFLD, she was the daughter of Terrance and Gertrude O'Brien. She is survived by her husband, Gerald Arrowsmith married for 55 years, daughter Brenda (Jim) Murphey of Chicago, son Wayne (Sonya) Arrowsmith of Quispamsis, son, Jerry (Chrissy) Arrowsmith of Saint John, dear sister, Agnes (Michael-deceased) Hayes, brother Edward (Mary) O'Brien, 10 grandchildren Mike (Allyson), Greg (predeceased), Ashley, Scott, Jeremy, Brian, Kelsey, Keith, Kathleen and Sarah, sisters-in-law (on Gerald's side), Ethel Smart and Helen (Cal) Callaghan. She was predeceased by four brothers, Patrick (Angela) O'Brien, Victor (Leonce) O'Brien, Alphonsus (Josephine-deceased) O'Brien and Terrance (Joan-deceased) O'Brien. Mary served as a Corporal in the Canadian Women's Army Corp during WWII and the Militia after the war. She was member of the Simonds Lions Senior Citizens Outreach at Loch Lomond Villa, Jarvis Bay Legion # 53 and the United Ostomy Association of Canada. She also worked at Dominion Stores for a number of years. She was a loving mother who devoted her life to her family and friends. Mary was an avid scrabble and card player. It didn't matter if she won or not, she just loved to play and have people around her. She was a woman of great faith who loved God and will be sadly missed by all who knew her. The family would like to give their sincere thanks for Mary's best friend Mary Kellier, her sister Agnes and longtime caretaker Theresa Ganong for their devoted and loving care. Many thanks also to Carol, Diane, Annette, Pat and Sherry and all other Extra Mural nurses who cared for Mary at home during her illness. Resting at Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road, Saint John (646-2424) with visitations on Saturday 7 to 9 pm and Sunday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. A Legion Tribute Service will take place on Sunday at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Joachim's Church on Monday September 8, 2008 at 10:00 am. Interment will follow in Fernhill Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to any charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family. To send a message of condolence or to sign the memorial guest book, please visit: www.fundyfuneralhome.com.^1,3 She was buried on 8 September 2008 at Fernhill Cemetery, Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick.¹
      As of 2 November 1953, Mary Josephine Theresa O'Brien was also known as Mary Jacqueline O'Brien.²