Rita O'Brien

Portland- Rita T. O’Brien, 88, a longtime resident of Castine Avenue, passed away at her home on June 29, 2016. She was born in Portland, a daughter of Konstanty and Annie (Nalbach) Konon. Her family soon after moved to Bonney Bank Road in South Portland where she spent a very happy childhood. They moved back to Portland during WW II where she graduated from Deering High School in 1946. She attended the Nursing Program at Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary from 1946-1949. She married John J. O’Brien in 1950 and they moved into their home on Castine Avenue after it was built in 1955, where she lived for over 60 years.

She was especially proud of having three children and enjoyed all of her family at her home on Christmas Eves throughout the years. Rita received her RN and loved her career as a Nurse. She volunteered at the Ronald MacDonald House and local soup kitchen in her earlier years.

Rita enjoyed reading, puzzles, traveling, flowers and working in the garden. She also enjoyed music, especially the Irish Tenors, Celtic Woman and Andy Williams.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, John J. O’Brien in 1971 and her brother Joseph Konon in 1996.

She is survived by her sister Constance Mulherin of Cumberland Foreside, her sister in law Eileen Konon of Gorham, her three children, John S. O’Brien and his wife Linda of Windham, James T. O’Brien and his wife Sandra of Dayton, Jean O’Brien-Allen of Portland; four grandchildren, Michelle Kelley, Nicholas Allen, Sarah Allen and her fiancé David Jackson and Rachel O’Brien; four great-grandchildren, Dakota Tarbox, Daniel Tarbox, Avianna Rath and Camron McKeough and several nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to a time of visitation from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Wednesday, July 6th at St. Joseph’s Church, 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Rita’s online guest book.