Regina Catherine O'Brien

Born in Greenwich, CT on August 25, 1926, she was the daughter of John and Catherine Doyle. She graduated High School attending both Greenwich High School and Sacred Heart Academy.

Jean lived her entire life in Greenwich except for the last three years when she moved to Rhode Island. She first met her husband, Eugene F O’Brien, when he bought a lemonade from her at a stand she had set up. Although only 13, she decided she wanted to marry him someday. They reconnected in their 20s and married in 1951, raising 5 children together in their yellow house with the big front porch on Loughlin Ave, a gathering place for the neighborhood children. For years Jean and Eugene also had a large group of treasured friends that they grew old with, enjoying many parties, clambakes, card games and travel along the way.

Jean considered herself, first and foremost a wife, mother (the mother everyone wished they had), mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother (Gigi). She loved her family with her whole heart, and they adored her in return.

Once her children were school age, Jean worked as a beloved ‘lunch lady’ who was recognized for years after she retired by the children at her school.

Jean loved living in Greenwich and especially in Cos Cob. For many years, she could be found walking and spending time at Tod’s Point and Cos Cob Park. In her later years, she enjoyed sitting on her front porch on Loughlin Avenue. She knew and greeted every man, woman, child and dog that walked by. They often came to sit on her porch and pass the time with her.

Jean was an avid reader and for many years kept notebooks of every book she read. She rated them and shared them with her children. She really loved UCONN Husky Basketball, both the men and the women. She kept statistics each year on all the players. And she could be found line dancing up to 3 times a week with her many friends from the Greenwich Senior Center.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, Eugene F. O’Brien and by grandson, 1LT Keith N. Heidtman. She is survived by daughter Patricia Cassis and husband, Jeffrey, daughter Maureen Robidoux and husband, Arthur, daughter Kathryn Neer, son Michael O’Brien and wife Jane, son Timothy O’Brien and wife, Lynne.

By her grandchildren, Keely Heidtman and husband Gregory LaPointe, Caitlin Cassis and husband, James Kerr, Connor Cassis and wife, Christina Cassis , Ali Neer, Abbey Neer, Darcy O’Brien and husband Juan Medina, Keegan O’Brien, Scott O’Brien, Alison O’Brien, and Molly O’Brien. And by her great grandchildren, Lila Kerr, Madeline Kerr, Fintan LaPointe, Carina Cassis and Aurora Cassis.

As well as many friends who will miss her dearly.

Funeral Services will be held at 10am, St. Mary’s Church, 178 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich, CT on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Visitation will be at Leo P Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch Street, Greenwich, CT 8:15-9:15am on Friday, January 16, 2026, prior to the Funeral Mass.

Memorial donations may be made in Jean’s name to:

Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

565 Ashford Center Road

Ashford, CT 06278