Obituary of Dolores E. (Sullivan) O'Brien

Dolores E. (Sullivan) O'Brien, 96, of Peabody and formerly of Sandwich and Newton, died on July 16, 2012. She was born in Fitchburg on January 11, 1916, the daughter of Mary (Mahoney) and Frederick Sullivan. She attended St. Bernard's School and FitchburgStateTeachers College. Her first teaching job was in a one-room school in rural Vermont where she taught eight grades. She later worked for the state employment service before marrying Robert Sherrin O'Brien. The couple lived in Allston and then Newton Centre, and for many years in Auburndale. Dolores raised five daughters and was one of the first teachers of English as a Second Language in Waltham. At FitchElementary School she taught English first to French Canadian, then to Puerto Rican and later Haitian children as the immigrant community changed over the years. She was a firm and dedicated teacher who made a lasting difference in the lives of hundreds of new Americans. In 1980 Dolores and her husband retired to Sandwich, where they enjoyed the beaches of Cape Cod, had good friends, and hosted many memorable visits with their daughters and their families. She was a busy retiree: swimming, walking, traveling, and active in her church. She was also a devoted sister, and was especially close to her older sisters, Marguerite and Frances Sullivan. Her husband died in 1993. In 2006 she moved to BrooksbyVillage in Peabody, a retirement community; there she made many new friends and until recently performed in musical theater. She was kind, smart, and engaging; she was a natural gabber and had a wonderful sense of humor. More than anything, she loved sitting around the kitchen table talking. She was a lifelong Democrat and believed that education was the key to opportunity. A child of the Depression, her world view was shaped in many ways by this experience; she grew up poor and remained frugal throughout her life. She always lied about her age and always had a beautiful manicure. She loved all animals and chocolate. She was immensely proud of her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who were at the center of her world. Dolores leaves five daughters: Sherrin Langeler of Gloucester; Sheila Arpe and her husband John of Boston; Deidre O'Brien Pepi and her husband Louis of Wellesley; Kerry O'Brien and her husband Paul Plumer of Topsham, ME; and Siobhan Ugone and her husband James of Topsfield. She leaves seven grandchildren: Colin Arpe and his wife Katrina Flener of Philadelphia, PA; Charlie Arpe of Oakland, CA; Kevin Arpe of Hong Kong; Slaine and Nicholas Pepi, both of Wellesley; Daniel Plumer of Topsham; and Gavin Ugone of Topsfield; and two great-grandchildren, Cassandra and Penelope Arpe of Phildelphia. A visitation will be held on Thursday morning at the Brooksby Village Chapel, 300 Brooksby Village Drive from 9:00 until 10:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Brooksby Village Chapel at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow at the MassachusettsNationalCemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Brooksby Village Student Appreciation Fund, 200 Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody, MA 01960 which benefits the young students employed there.