Dorothy D. O'Brien

Port Leyden- Dorothy (Doody) O'Brien, 80, of the River Road, a long time town Historian and wife of the late Robert W., passed away on Monday December 10, 2012, at Lewis County General Hospital, after an illness. She was born in Lowville, on August 19, 1932, a daughter of Edward and Florence Marmon Doody, where she graduated from Lowville Academy with the Class of 1950. Thereafter she attended and graduated from House of The Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Watertown, where she received her Registered Nurse Degree. Dorothy also accomplished addition nurses training at Ogdensburg and at Presbyterian Hospital, New York City. After completing her education, Mrs. O'Brien was employed as a Registered Nurse for Dr. Robert Smith and at Sunset Nursing Home, both of Boonville. Dorothy was united in marriage with Bob W. O'Brien, Jr. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Lowville, on April 24, 1954. Afterwards the couple settled on the O'Brien farm on the River Road, near Port Leyden. For many years she assisted in the operation of the family farm. Mr. O'Brien died on July 28, 2001. Mrs. O'Brien loved history and had a passion for local history, especially of the Town of Lyonsdale. She served as Town Historian for 48 years, up until the present time. During this time, she had assisted many authors in doing research concerning Lyonsdale. She traced the O'Brien family's ancestry back to the time they immigrated to this area from Cork County, Ireland, in the 1860's. She was a member of St. Martin's Church, Port Leyden, had assistanted with Vacation Bible School and participated with the church Prayer Chain. She had served as Census taker for the Town of Lyonsdale; in addition to history, she enjoyed doing Cross Word Puzzles, Playing Pitch, snowmobiling during the hard winters of the 1970's and visiting with folks while eating out. Dorothy is survived by two sons and a daughter in law, William T. and Susan and Timothy J, all of Port Leyden; one daughter and son in law, Nancy O'Brien-Dailey and Ward, Port Leyden, nine grandchildren, Kathleen, Mary, Monica, Emily, Erica, Conrad, Ethan, Kyle and Gabriel, two great grandchildren, Hunter and Wyatt; one brother, Richard (Joann) Doody, Fredrick, MD; and one sister, Helen (Peter) Paige, Cicero. She was predeceased by a daughter in law, Pamela J. (McLaughlin) O'Brien, on June 29, 2001. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 14, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Martin's Church, Port Leyden, with interment in the spring in Calvary Cemetery, Port Leyden. Calling hours are Thursday 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Lewis Co. Hospice, Inc. P.O. Box 266 Lowville, NY 13367, Port Leyden Fire Company, or to the Port Leyden Library Canal St. Port Leyden, NY 13433. Dorothy's family extends a special thanks to Diane Brinkerhoff, Gladys Reese, Jim & Chris Chauftey, Tammy Camidge, Dr. Birg, the staff of the second floor east wing at the Lewis Co. Hospital, and many others who have shared their kindness with her.