Mary Theresa (Murphy) O’Brien, 90, of the Southgate Community in Shrewsbury, formerly of Harwich, died peacefully in her home on Saturday, December 30, 2017 after a long and full life.

Mary was born and raised in Boston, daughter of the late James and Molly (Dunphy) Murphy, natives of Ireland. She graduated from Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester, Class of 1944. On October 4, 1952, Mary married the love of her life, Paul P. O’Brien in Saint William’s Church in Dorchester. Together, Mary and Paul raised their large family—10 daughters and 4 sons—in Wrentham and Shrewsbury before moving to the Cape. Mary worked for many years for the New England Telephone Company. In her spare time, she enjoyed ballroom dancing, walking, crocheting, reading, doing the daily jumble, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was also a daily communicant and an active parishioner of Holy Trinity in Harwich, as well as, a prayer warrior and a faithful witness for Life—including attending the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C for decades.

After 63 years of marriage, her husband Paul passed into eternal life in April of 2016. Mary now leaves their 14 beloved children: Kathleen (George) Stevens of Calais, ME; James (Kelly) O’Brien of Kennesaw, GA; Anne (Paul) Torchia of West Boylston; Paul (Diana) O’Brien of Seabrook, NH; Michael O’Brien of Epping, NH; Mary O’Brien of West Boylston; Joan (Thomas) Thrun of Webster; Clare (John) Keat of Greer, SC; Elaine (Ed) Hadley of Harwich; Maureen O’Brien of Hyannis; Frances (Robert) Marsh formerly of Belchertown, MA, currently residing in Clarksville, TN; Daniel O’Brien of Holden; Patricia (John) Bryant of Hardwick, NJ; and Sheila (Paul) Towne of Shrewsbury. She is also survived by 53 grandchildren and a rapidly growing number of great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a calling hour on Friday January 5, 2018 from 10:30-11:30 am in Saint Mary’s Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury. A funeral Mass celebrating Mary’s life will follow at 11:30 am. Burial will be on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 10:30 am in Island Pond Cemetery, Harwich, MA.