Gere K. O'Brien

Gere graduated from The Lausanne School in Memphis and later attended the Ogontz School for Young Ladies, a finishing school in Philadelphia. In September 1949, she married Thomas John O’Brien, Jr.

While in Memphis, Gere worked as a technician with the heart and lung machine at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and later as a salesperson at Casual Corner, a retail clothing boutique.

She was a member of the Junior League and enjoyed tennis and gardening.

In August 2004, Gere moved to Austin, Texas, where she was warmly embraced by her family, including her son Michael O’Brien, his wife Elizabeth Owen O’Brien, and four of her grandchildren.

For several years she lived near her son at Brookdale Gaines Ranch, where she enjoyed playing bridge and serving on the hospitality committee.

On Sunday nights, Gere was the center of family dinners—often at BurgerFi (she loved a good cheeseburger) or Maudie’s Tex-Mex, where she could happily make a meal out of guacamole.

When her health began to decline, she moved to Brookdale Lohman’s Crossing in Lakeway, where she spent her final years surrounded by caring staff and a loving resident community. She cherished regular visits from her Austin-based grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gere was known throughout her life for her candid nature and dry wit—qualities she maintained well into her 90s, often cracking up the table with a perfectly timed remark.

She is survived by her son Michael O’Brien and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Owen O’Brien of Austin; her daughter Marie McCall and son-in-law Chuck McCall, of Buda, Texas; five adult grandchildren and their spouses: Jesse Alexander O’Brien and Amanda Martin O'Brien, Owen O’Brien Powell and Kemper Charles Powell, Samuel King O’Brien, Charles Carroll McCall III and Laura McCall, and Mary Catherine McCall of Knoxville, Tennessee; and five great-grandchildren: River Alexander O’Brien, Finn Martin O’Brien, Brooke Everest O’Brien, Kellen O’Brien Powell, and Isabel Grace McCall.

A private, family graveside service will be held at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gere’s memory to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, TX 78759.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at Brookdale Lohman’sCrossing and Hospice Austin, including April Long, Erika Tabke, Emily Hyde, Stephanie Hoglievina, and Jake Moorehead, and to Tori Clements at Austin Geriatric Specialists.