Pauline Bernadette O’brien-Delury

Pauline O’Brien DeLury, a native of Dublin, Ireland, passed away peacefully in San Rafael, California on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the age of 91. Pauline is survived by her dear brother Peter O’Brien of Yountville, California, and her sister-in-law Christine O’Brien of England, along with her many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends throughout Ireland, Europe, and the United States, especially the San Francisco Bay Area. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and soulmate, Jim DeLury, her parents, Captain Michael and Louise (nee Gilligan) O’Brien, her dear sister Dolores O’Reilly, her brothers David and Michael O’Brien, and her sister-in-law Marese O’Brien.

Pauline will be remembered by many in the San Francisco Bay Area for her wonderful contributions to the Irish community in both her personal and professional life. Pauline held the distinguished position of being the first female representative abroad for Bord Fáilte Eireann, a predecessor to Tourism Ireland. She began her career with Bord Fáilte in Dublin, transferred to Chicago and then to their newly opened San Francisco office where she became Bord Fáilte’s West Coast Representative, a wonderful achievement in what was previously a male dominated industry. She held this position for 15 years, promoting Tourism to Ireland. She then transitioned and spent the next 14 years at the Consulate General of Ireland in San Francisco where she continued her work of serving and promoting Ireland.

Pauline was a long-time member of the American Ireland Fund, the United Irish Cultural Center, the Irish Forum and numerous other Irish Organizations. She was a former member of Zonta International and a member and Past President of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). She was also Chaplain to the Reserve Officers Association League (ROAL). Following the death of her dear husband Jim, she became a dedicated volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California/Northern Nevada for over 15 years, serving on their board, their Leadership Committee, Program Services and was a Team Leader for their “Walk to End Alzheimer’s”. As a member of St. Anselm's Parish in Marin County, she served on their Parish Council, was a lector for their Sunday Masses and served on the Board for the Catholic Marin Breakfast Club for many years.

Friends are invited to a Memorial Mass for Pauline at St. Anselm Catholic Church, 97 Shady Lane, Ross, CA 94957 on a date to be determined. Her remains will be buried in the family grave in Dean’s Grange Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed by The Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California/Northern Nevada and St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin.