PATRICIA CZAJKOWSKI

Patricia Jean Czajkowski, 72, of Las Vegas, passed away suddenly March 21, 2018. Pat was born September 26, 1945, in Denver, Colorado. She was raised in Lincoln, Illinois, by her parents, Evan and Helen Sterling, and attended Lincoln High School. Pat was a 32-year resident of Las Vegas, and was an active philanthropist on behalf of the American Diabetes Association. Pat was loved by all who came in contact with her. Her smile radiated warmth and compassion and her genuine curiosity towards others drew people to her, wherever she went. Pat viewed every human encounter as someone who could be a special member of her tribe. She was a matriarch of the human race. Pat was welltraveled and truly enjoyed exploring the corners of the world and studying the people and cultures in each destination. At home, she was an avid gardener, interior decorator and her culinary skills were legendary. Pat loved entertaining in her home and sharing her gifts of cheerful joy, humor and gourmet cooking. Pat loved all animals, but she especially loved her cats. One of her favorite things was spending time with family and friends at their cabin in Brian Head, Utah. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Evan and Helen Sterling. She is survived by her husband, of 25 years, Gene Czajkowski; her children, Kevin Cole and Kathy Smith of Las Vegas; her grandchildren, Riley and Chandler Smith of Las Vegas; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Jean Czajkowski of Los Altos, California; her sister-inlaw, Maressa Czajkowski of West Plains, Missouri; her nephews, Brad, Tom and Andrew Czajkowski; and her nieces, Brandy Staton-Austin and Riley (Megan) Czajkowski. Services will be private. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Patricia’s name to the World Wildlife Fund, worldwildlife.org John Darby O’Brien passed away Good Friday, March 30, 2018, in his apartment at Las Ventanas Retirement Home. John was born July 10, 1940, in Hannibal, Missouri, the second son born to the union of James F. O’Brien and Helen Elizabeth Wear, both of whom preceded him in death. Following his graduation from Creighton University School of Law, John joined the U.S. Army and requested to be assigned to a combat unit. He was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade and attended the John F. Kennedy Center for Special Warfare from December 1965 to November 1966. Thereafter, Captain O’Brien was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam and posted to several forward operating bases in the Central Highlands throughout the period of December 1966 through December 1967. Among them was Dak To, one of the bloodiest combat operations conducted by the 173rd Airborne Brigade “Sky Soldiers” in the Vietnam War. Captain O’Brien was awarded the Bronze Star for his exemplary service in Vietnam. Upon his return stateside, John O’Brien made Las Vegas his home. He took and passed the Nevada Bar in 1969 and became a Deputy District Attorney in the Clark County District Attorney’s Office. Two years later, he joined the law firm of the late William Coulthard. Thereafter, he was a law partner with his longtime friend, Senator Richard Bryan. John was later named United States Magistrate March 24, 1978 by the Honorable Roger D. Foley, Judge of the United States District Court for Nevada. In 1985, former federal prosecutor Donald J. Campbell began practicing law with John in his offices at the Valley Bank building. They would continue their professional and close personal relationship for a period of 33 years. During his legal career, John was President of the Nevada State Bar, Nevada State Chair for the American College of Trial Lawyers and served on numerous Bar and Bench committees for the Nevada Supreme Court, too many of which to list here. But, perhaps one of his proudest achievements was that of his association with the Alexander Dawson Foundation. As a founding trustee, John, along with Oz Gutsche, Mario Borini and Farrow Smith, built a lasting legacy in the establishment of The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain in Las Vegas, and The Dawson School in Lafayette, Colorado. Both schools are dedicated to providing their students with a learning environment that promotes academic excellence as well as honesty and integrity in all aspects of their personal lives. John is survived by an older brother, James J. O’Brien; and his younger brothers, Matt, Louie and Charlie O’Brien; as well as nephews, James and Sammy; and nieces, Nan and Meghan. He is likewise survived by his deeply devoted friend of over 50 years, Lynn Cibel of Washington, D.C. Memorial services for John will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. (Eastern Ave. between Warm Springs Road and Robindale Ave.) Burial will be private at 1:20 p.m. Friday, April 13, at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City. In lieu of flowers, John’s family and friends have requested donations be made to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, St.Jude.org/Donation