CHELMSFORD ‘ Kathleen A. (Brace) O’Brien, age 81, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, on Monday, July 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Edward B. O’Brien, whom she enjoyed 61 years of marriage.
She was born in Montreal, Canada on December 5, 1943, and was the daughter of Cecil and Kathleen (Furlong) Brace.
Kathy moved from Canada to Cambridge, MA at age 16. She lived in Chelmsford for more than 50 years. During that time, she ran and owned her own travel agency-Centre Travel for more than 20 years. In retirement, Kathy ran the Chelmsford farmers market, volunteered for Budget Buddies and worked in the town hall. Kathy loved gardening and flowers and was always eager to share seeds and her gardening expertise. She also loved quilting and made quilts for all the special people in her life. During the holidays, Kathy would bake hundreds of cookies for her family and friends.
In addition to her loving husband, Kathleen is survived by her son Edward O’Brien and his wife Beth-Payton-O’Brien of San Marcos, CA; her daughter Erin Cox and her husband Stephen of Chelmsford, MA; and her son Timothy O’Brien of Chelmsford, MA. She also leaves her grandchildren Meagan Cox and Sean Cox of Chelmsford, MA, Patrick O’Brien of New York, NY and Molly O’Brien of San Marcos, CA.
Kathy is also survived by her sisters Joanne Cullinan and Linda Peterson and many nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.
Visiting hours will be held on Monday, August 4, 2025 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen Street, CHELMSFORD. Her Funeral Service and interment will be held privately.
Memorial donations may be made in Kathleen’s memory to Mass General Hospital or American Heart Association.
Funeral Directors Paul A. Hardy, Jr. & Jennifer Lebaropoulos Hardy. For directions and online guestbook, visit CHELMSFORDFUNERALHOME.COM and find us on Facebook.
Author: gqlshare
https://www.lowellsun.com/obituaries/kathleen-a-obrien-chelmsford-ma/
