1930 ~ 2024
Helen Ann O’Brien, 93, of Empire passed away Monday, July 8, 2024 at Glen Eagle in Traverse City, MI.
Helen was born on October 30, 1930 in Lake Leelanau to the late Roy and Mazil (McNeely) Couturier. She married the love of her life, the late Harold F. O’Brien on October 20, 1951 at St.
Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in Lake Leelanau. Together they lovingly raised six wonderful children.
Helen has lived in the area for all of her life and has seen so many changes. She was a proud homemaker raising her family. She also had practical nursing training. She was a great cook and baker and loved to care for her garden.
Above all spending time with her family was her greatest joy. From family vacations to The “Rock” on Drummond Island and Disney World. Other family trips included Hawaii, Italy and Scotland, and Lake Michigan Charter fishing.
Fondly Helen will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Helen is survived by her, three sons and two daughters; Frederick (Sharon) O’Brien, Timothy (Rhonda) O’Brien, Colleen (Dennis) King, Julie (Robert) Brott and Robert ( Jillian) O’Brien, ten grandchildren; Matthew O’Brien, Michael O’Brien, Morgan (Paul) Chalup, Lauren O’Brien, Andrew King, Steven King, Daniel Brott, Benjamin Brott, Scott Brott, Wilson (Kris) Brott, Caden O’Brien and Olivia O’Brien also a great-grandchildren, Kate Chalup, Emma Chalup, and Addison King, as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, an infant son, Roy O’Brien, a son, Thomas O’Brien, her siblings, Richard Couturier, Betty Mucha, Rosalyn O’Brien, Leroy Couturier, and Frederick Couturier.
Friends are welcome to visit with Helen’s family from 5 - 7 pm Wednesday July 17 at St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church, 11411 Lacore Rd., Empire, Michigan 49630. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday July 18 at St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church. Rev Fr. Kenneth Stachnik will officiate. Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to Hospice. Kindly share thoughts and memories with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
