CC O'Brien

Helen C. “CC” (Bresnahan) O’Brien, of Holyoke, died peacefully at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in East Longmeadow on Saturday, May 20, 2023, less than a month from what would have been her 99th Birthday. “CC” was born and raised in the Highlands Section of Holyoke, attended local schools and was a proud member of the Holyoke High School Class of 1942, where she played violin in the orchestra.  A lifelong Holyoke resident, she attended what was then the Bay Path Institute in Springfield. She worked at National Blank Book and Park National Bank in Holyoke before marrying Edward J. O’Brien, who also grew up on Parker Street.  Eddie died in 1988.  “CC” spent decades as a Homemaker raising five children. A sixth, Kathleen, died as an infant in 1966. “CC” returned to work at the bank when her parenting duties were complete, retiring in 1990. Her greatest joy came from travelling extensively with her children and her grandchildren and on occasion with Holyoke senior groups. She loved her time as a “water lily” with a like minded group of ladies at the Holyoke YMCA. She was a life long parishioner of Holy Cross Church, now Our Lady of the Cross Parish. She was active in the Holyoke Senior Center and proud that she never missed a Holyoke Saint Patrick’s Parade.  In addition to her husband and daughter, “CC” was predeceased by her parents, Matthew and Julia Bresnahan, who were immigrants from Farrenfore and Castlemaine, County Kerry, Ireland as well as her older sister, Margie.  She is survived by five children, Joanne Burke (Jack), Dan (Charlene), Jim (Marylou), Frank (Anne Marie), and Tim (Maureen); twelve grandchildren: Jay (Geraldine), Brendan (Cameron), Matthew, Kevin (Paige), Erin (Chris), Patricia, Julie (Brandon), Dan (Casey), Kerry, Meghan (Dillon), Jeremy and T.J. (Leah); nine great grandchildren:  Sinclair, Cora, Annabelle, Cecelia, Colleen, Abigail, Mollie, Logan, and Jameson, as well as several nieces and nephews.  The Funeral will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Cross Parish Church, Holy Cross Avenue. Burial will follow in Saint Jerome Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, “CC” would have appreciated donations to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Development@ssjspringfield.com or the Dominican Nuns at the Dominican Monastery of the Mother of God, 1430 Riverdale Street, West Springfield, MA 01089-4698.

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