PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Patricia A. (Pat) O’Brien, 84, of Pittsfield, was called to heaven on May 28, 2018, after a long, courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease, surrounded by her loving family at Mount Carmel Care Center.

Born in Pittsfield, Mass., on December 16, 1933, to Henry P. and Catherine A. Baretsky Danyliw, Pat was a 1951 graduate of Pittsfield High School and a 1953 graduate of St Luke’s School of Nursing, going on to work as a registered nurse in St. Luke’s Hospital. In 1977, after raising six children, she returned to nursing, first as a private duty nurse for a local family and then for 20 years in the rehab unit of Berkshire Medical Center. Pat was a true nurse, dedicated to patient care. 

After retiring she volunteered at St. Mark food pantry as well as teaching nursing students to take vitals. Pat was a communicant of St. Mark Church. While she raised her children she was involved in 4-H, surrounded by gardens, chickens, rabbits and more. She enjoyed vacationing at the Cape, family gatherings, arts and crafts, reading, feeding the ducks at the lake and attending all of her grandchildren’s activities. Her dedication to her family and friends never wavered.

She leaves her husband John C. O’Brien, whom she married on July 16, 1955; her children, Timothy of Lanesborough, Thomas of Williamstown, Michael, Mark (Colleen), and Kathleen Scott (Harold), all of Pittsfield; as well as 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. 

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sons, John P. (infant) and John M. O’Brien; daughter-in-law Audrey O’Brien; and her sisters Mary Doshna and Diane Gray.

Patricia’s family would like to thank the staff of the Bridges unit at Melbourne Assisted Living, the staff of BMC’s 2 East, and the remarkably caring people at Mt Carmel Care Center and those from Hospice Care of Western and Central Massachusetts for their extraordinary level of compassionate care.

Funeral notice: Calling hours for Patricia will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2018, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at 10 a.m. at St. Mark Church, 400 West St Pittsfield, concelebrated by Father Joseph O’Brien and Rev. David E. Aufiero, Pastor. 

Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Patricia’s name to the charity of your choice.