Martha Ann O'Brien

Martha Ann O'Brien, 84, lost a gallant battle with cancer on Monday, January 8, 2007, in her Austin, Texas home. She fought the disease with extraordinary grace, gusto, humor, and courage, knowing full well that the battle would soon be lost. Her family and close friends will remember always her grace and how she made them comfortable with the difficult decisions to be made and the realities of a known future. Born Martha Ann Minton in Uniontown, Kentucky on July 3, 1922, she was reared in her hometown of Miami, Florida. She was preceded in death by the great love of her life, Frank M. O'Brien, Jr., in 1978, and her beloved parents, Edith and J.T. Minton, Sr., all in Miami. Grace and graciousness without limits in approaching all aspects of her life, humor, high adventure, the pursuit of beauty and happiness, and her extraordinary ability to find humor and laughter even in the worst of situations — these qualities define her life. To all who knew "Miss Martha," she was a “fiery little redhead" and a pistol, yet also a sweet, kind, and tender soul. Her many random acts of astounding generosity and kindness were only truly known to their recipients. She was ever ready to help those in need whether monetary, emotional, or spiritual, expecting nothing in return. She was a treasured gift and inspiration to all who knew her. Martha graduated from Miami Senior High School in 1939. During WWII, she was a Red Cross Gray Lady ministering to wounded troops returning from war. She won the National Sewing Award in 1950, winning a trip to New York City's fashion world for this small-town Miami girl. She became Executive Secretary extraordinaire at the Miami Chamber of Commerce, Pan American World Airways, and then later Tycoon Tackle, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of world-renowned, deep-sea and big game fishing tackle which had turned to manufacturing airplane parts for the U.S. Navy during WWII. In 1955, she married the Founder and CEO of Tycoon Tackle and the great love of her life, Frank M. O'Brien, Jr., in Miami. They lived in San Juan, Puerto Rico for more than 13 years where they first manufactured fishing tackle, and then later started Taino s.a., Inc., designing one-of-a-kind, screen-printed fabrics and "couture fashions" that they sold in their Taino clothing stores in San Juan resort hotels, as well as to stores internationally. Their great loves in life were rearing their adventurous and busy only child Tim and traveling internationally. Following the death of her husband, in 1982 she moved permanently to Texas to be near her son and his family. She retired from SBC Communications in San Antonio, Texas with more than 17 years of Perfect Attendance. Martha was a life member of Telephone Pioneers of America and helped make hundreds of Hug-a-Bears for soldiers going to Iraq. She was also a member of the Onion Creek Country Club Ladies Association in Austin, Texas. She is survived by her only child, Timothy Patrick ("Tim") O'Brien, Sr., daughter-in-law, Anne Gilliam O'Brien, and grandson, Timothy "Patrick" O'Brien, Jr., all of Austin, Texas; one sister, Virginia Minton Girten of Vero Beach, Florida; one brother, James Thomas ("J.T.") Minton, Jr. of Port St. Lucie, Florida; and, her sister-at-heart and very best friend of 84 years, Helen Hissum Zimmer Robards of Flowery Branch, Georgia. The family wishes to express appreciation to her dedicated medical team: Dr. Carsten Kampe, Dr. Timothy Dzuik, "Dzuik's Angels," and the phenomenal staff and chemotherapy nurses of Texas Oncology - South Austin Cancer Center; Dr. James Boysen and Dr. Matthew Benevich at South Austin Hospital; the nurses of Seton Hospital's “7-North”, and the magnificent staff of Hospice Austin. In lieu of flowers, Martha and her family request donations to help an in-need, high-achieving college student. Please send donations to: The Martha Ann and Frank M. O'Brien, Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship, ATTN: Joe DeMedeiros in University Development, St. Edward's University, 3001 S. Congress Ave., Austin, Texas 78704-6489. A memorial service will be held at the appropriately-named Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at St. Edward's University, 3001 S. Congress Ave. in Austin, Texas at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 13, 2007. A private family ceremony will be held at a later date for a burial of both Martha and Frank together in the Gulf Stream off the southern coast of Florida so that, as during their marriage, they may through eternity adventurously travel the world together. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com