Celine O’Brien
Celine O’Brien, age 85 of Upper Providence, PA passed away peacefully on the morning of October 16, 2018 in the arms of her husband of 59 years, Joseph O’Brien.
Celine was born in New York City to Arthur J. and Mary M. Tilson. She grew up in Jersey City, NJ and attended high school at Saint Aloysius Academy. Celine was graduated from Misericordia University in 1955 and moved to Wallingford, PA. Celine then worked as a teacher at Wallingford Elementary School until 1959. She married her husband Joseph in 1959 and they moved to Upper Providence and devotedly raised their two daughters, Renee and Emily.
A lifelong educator, Celine was active in the girls’ schools, chairing numerous organizations in all three schools the girls attended; Media Elementary School, Springton Lake Junior High School, and Penncrest High School. Celine was also a member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Board for the Rose Tree Media School District.
Celine was enthusiastically active in local politics, serving as Republican Party Committeewoman for several years. She served on the Upper Providence Township Planning Committee for eight years, and as chairwoman for four. Celine was elected to the township Board of Commissioners and served eight years, two of which she was the Chairwoman. Celine was also a member of the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee for six years and Vice Chair for the 169th State Legislative District Republican Committee.
Celine loved her family, her community, and loved serving all the people of Upper Providence.
Celine is survived by her Husband of 59 years, Joseph, her daughters Renee O’Brien and Emily Staranowski (Steven), her granddaughter Julia, her sisters Carlota Govey and Christine Iannelli, and her brother the Hon. Arthur R. Tilson.
Relatives and friends are invited to her Mass on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Nativity B.V.M. Church, 30 E. Franklin Street, Media, Pa at 10:30 am. Calling: Friday, October 19, 2018 in the J. Nelson Rigby Funeral Home, 1 W. Baltimore Ave., Media, Pa, from 6:00 to
8:00 pm, and Saturday from
9:15 to 10:15 am in Church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
https://www.stjude.org/ donate/donate-to-st-jude. html