Cheryl I. O'Brien

Cheryl I. O’Brien went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 22, 2024 after a long illness. She was the loving and devoted wife of John “Jack” Tranfaglia with whom she shared 42 years of marriage.

Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Beatrice (Hayford) O’Brien. She grew up in Lynn, graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Salem State College (B.S. in Business Education), and Cambridge College (Master’s in Counseling/Administration/Education). Cheryl was a teacher at Reading High School (honored as Massachusetts Business Educator of the Year in 1998 and in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers), retiring in 2002 to become a project manager/executive assistant to the president of Crystal Food Import, Inc. in Lynn. Cheryl volunteered in many community activities such as directing a special program in Lynn for teens at risk. She was a Director of Religious Education, catechist for RCIA and participated in various teaching capacities in her mission to bring others to Christ through the Catholic Church.

In addition to her husband, Cheryl leaves behind her three stepchildren: Wayne Tranfaglia, John Tranfaglia, and Michelle Brennan; her cousins, Kristine McShay Sierra and Shelley Simpson; her many special godchildren; along with many loving close friends. Cheryl wanted to recognize and give thanks to her friend, Maria Gillespie, who was God’s special instrument of mercy in Cheryl’s most challenging moments over the last two years.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 10:00 am - 10:30 am in the St. Pius V Church, 215 Maple Street, Lynn (handicap accessible). Her Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Cheryl's memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or via the provided link: stjude.org