Suzanne "Sue" O'Brien

Sue was born on September 30, 1940 in the Bronx, New York to Francis Devlin and Eileen (Shaw) Devlin both born in County Derry, Ireland. This 100% Irish lass was known for her unwavering convictions, thirst for knowledge, always ready for thoughtful conversations, genuine curiosity, and never shied away from the opportunity to compose her minority opinion.

The Ursuline nuns had profound impact on her education and choice to pursue teaching as a career, She graduated with honors from St. Angela’s School in the Bronx and earned her degree in elementary education from Ursuline College. Her journey toward her doctorate was deeply intertwined with raising her own family of five as a working Mom. All along the way, Sue pursued advanced education, raising five active children well before the days of grocery delivery, Uber, and cell phones. She would write her own term papers while quizzing her kids on their math facts. She was a teacher at Notre Dame School in Clarendon Hills, IL followed by eleven years at J.T. Manning Elementary School in Westmont, IL as classroom teacher of reading, math and science. Eventually she became Principal at the same school for nine additional years. There, she developed a thriving team of close-knit teachers and staff, who under her leadership, never lost sight of their winning goal – meeting each student where they were and caring enough to help them thrive. As if being a devoted Mom and married to the biggest kid of all wasn’t a full enough challenge, she worked nights and weekends to earn her Maters in Education, Certificate of Advanced Study, and ultimately crossed this marathon finish line and earned her Doctorate of Education with a Superintendent Endorsement from National-Louis University. Her dissertation was recognized by Laura and George W. Bush’s “No Child Left Behind’ program. Dr. O’Brien continued to learn, as evidenced in the conferences and workshops where she focused on spreading her messages of teaching with passion, and building the reading brain. Some examples include the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, Chicago Area Accreditation Workshop, Livetext Conference, American Teacher Association, the International Dyslexic Conference and NCATE training. She was the President of the International Illinois Dyslexic Association. One of her proudest accomplishments was working with the ‘establishment’ in Springfield to include the definition of dyslexia into the Illinois State Board of Education ensuring future students with dyslexia were entitled to state-recognized accommodations. Dr. O’Brien also was the chief architect of the proposal of the Early Childhood Program that was approved by the Illinois State Board of Education Certification Committee.

Dr. Sue was a dedicated advocate for children especially those with disabilities. As a young Mom of a deaf child, she took on the entire Newark school district in Wilmington, Delaware including meetings with the Governor and Senators to ensure her son had a proper education demanding nothing less than excellence for him and for students to come. She armed herself with knowledge and data to advocate for students with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. She knew the criticality of learning to read in order to thrive. She researched to ends of library shelves all available curriculum on reading to become the expert parents, colleagues, students, and strangers came to rely upon. Her work was also rewarded by NASA’s, Teacher in Space program where she spent the time of her life at Space Camp in Huntsville, AL as an astronaut in training complete with a sky-blue, patch-filled pair of overalls to take home.

Sue married her ever love, Dennis on February 4, 1961 in the midst of a New York blizzard and together they went on to raise five children. Their marriage was challenged and also strengthened by multiple moves from across New York, to Delaware, Ohio, Illinois and ultimately arriving in Indiana. Their 60 years together was the most beautiful gift to their children as they witnessed how selflessness, laughter, forgiveness, holding hands while pursuing the top of the podium, recognizing that the ‘we’ would always trump the ‘I’, and that leaving it all to God was how they got through life. Devotion to her family was unparalleled and building traditions like family reunions and alternating major holidays as her children began building their own families was a strongly held expectation.

Shortly, after her retirement as the Chair of the Elementary Education Department at Lewis University, Dennis and Sue found a new community in Indianapolis. She served The Overlook until she died doing what she did all of her life – challenging mediocre in favor of excellence, establishing fiscally responsible and sustainable processes, and facilitating common-sense policies all intended to maintain a treasured community for all residents.

Sue was pre-deceased by her brother Frances Devlin Jr. and her husband, Dennis of 60 years. She is survived by her five children: Dennis (Laura), Kathryn (Bryan) Kumler, Erin (Rich) Pietranek, Ellen (Jim) Paul, and Peter (Natalie) O’Brien and ten cherished loves: Shawn O’Brien, Reiley and Grady Kumler, Sophie, Maddie and Danny Pietranek, Jack and Sarah Paul, and Leela and Theo O’Brien. Her role as Grandma Suzie was one of her favorites, reading stories, bestowing book after book, asking probing questions, expecting thoughtful honest answers, and always encouraging faith in God.

Sue was a loyal friend to many establishing meaningful, deep relationships in every city where she and Dennis landed. She lived a life rooted in strong faith and integrity, showing love and kindness and hoping for the same in return. As she liked to end all her conversations, Godspeed.

A visitation will be held at Leppert Mortuary & Crematory Services, located at 740 East 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240, on November 16, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7575 E Holliday Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46260, on November 17, 2025, at 11:30 am.

Donations may be made in memory of Dr. Suzanne O’Brien to:

Little Sisters of the Poor Indianapolis St. Augustine Home 2345 West 86th Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46260-1905 Phone: (317) 415-5767 Fax: (317) 415-6282

Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Indianapolis

Archdiocesan Council, Inc.

2500 Churchman Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46203

Phone (317) 924-5769