Irene Ellen O'Brien

Irene Ellen O’Brien of Palm City joined her beloved husband of 60 years, Jerry in heaven on March 29, 2021. Irene was born on October 3, 1934 in Bay City , Michigan. She was the oldest child of Albert and Augusta Bayer. Irene grew up in Detroit, Michigan and attended Denby high school. In June of 1952, she graduated from Denby and in November of that same year, 30 days after her 18th birthday, married her childhood sweetheart, Gerald O’Brien. Irene always valued education and when her youngest daughter, Kathy began Kindergarten , she went to college part time and taught piano lessons to help pay for it In 1972, the family moved to Florida. Irene loved the warm weather and hated it when the temperature dropped below 80. Irene finished her college degree in education in 1975 after attending Florida Atlantic University. She immediately began teaching the 4th grade at Hobe Sound elementary. She eventually moved to Jensen Beach elementary where she taught second graders. She retired from the Martin County school District at the age of 65 after 25 years of teaching and influencing so very many children’s lives. Irene returned to Florida Atlantic during her teaching career and obtained a Masters in education in 1982. Irene also served as Sewall’s Point town commissioner. After her retirement from the Martin County school district, Irene worked as an adjunct professor at IRSC for 11 years, eventually retiring just after she turned 76. Irene loved music and sang in the choir her entire life. She was a talented musician and loved to play the piano and sing. She instilled that love of music in her children. She taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir was always the Master of ceremonies at the Mother daughter banquets served as a deacon and an elder at Palm City Presbyterian church as well as First Presbyterian church in Stuart. Irene loved her family more than anything else in life. She had many traditions that have been and will be carried on for many generations to come. Irene loved to entertain and made the best pecan pie! She and Jerry travelled extensively all over the United States and the world until his death in 2012. Their last trip was to Egypt. Irene also loved to golf, attend the theatre, especially musicals, gardening in her yard and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also volunteered at the Elliot Museum, the Martin county library and continued teaching piano lessons for several years after moving to Florida. Irene enjoyed socializing with her friends of whom there were many. Irene is survived by her daughter Karen O’ Brien Steger (Sam), and daughter Kathy Lynne Hollar. She has 8 grandchildren, Lori Irene Steger(Jacob), Lynn Steger Strong(Peter), Kara Marie Steger, Scott Gerald Steger(Hanna), Ashley Hollar, Amanda Byrne(Mike), Kristin Hollar and Garth Gerald O’Brien Hollar. She also has 14 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Albert Bayer and her sister Marlene(Mimi) Romine(Aaron). She was preceded in death by her brother Gerald Bayer, her son in law Garth Hollar and of course her beloved husband Gerald. She will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her. Services for Irene will be held at Palm City Presbyterian church 2700 Martin Highway Palm City, Florida 34990 on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 3:00 pm. Please join us to celebrate her life!