Mildred O’Brien
Old Lyme — Mildred Rose O’Brien, of Glastonbury, formerly of Niantic, Old Lyme, and Branford, passed away March 5, 2023. She was the widow of George O’Brien. Mildred was born April 27, 1927, in New Haven, the daughter of William D. O’Connor and Marguerite Cooke O’Connor.
Mildred was an active and loving person. Some of her beloved hobbies and activities were Lyme Village Voices, the Sew and Sews, Nutmeg Recorder Group, Christ The King Ladies Guild and Christ the King Bible Study. Mildred, along with her husband, George, discovered running in their 50s. At a time where women’s sports were practically unheard of, Mildred embraced the challenge of running, mastering favorite races like the Tarzan Brown Mystic River Run, New Haven 20K and many others throughout New England. In 1982, Mildred set a national record at the New Haven 20k with a time of 1:53:09 for the 55-yearold group.
In more recent years, her passions were her music (piano, recorder and singing), laughing with her friends and time with her grandchildren. Most recently, Mildred had the chance to meet her first great-grandchild. Conor brought her great joy in her final months.
Mildred is survived by her son James O’Brien and his wife, Diane, of Glastonbury; son George O’Brien and his wife, Yvonne, of Branford; daughter Patricia O’Brien Hubbell and her husband, Michael, of Nashua, N.H.; five grandchildren and their spouses: Kerry O’Brien and her husband, Doug Gascon; Daniel O’Brien; Aran Hubbell Downey and her husband, Zack; Hannah Foley; Nanyamka Nicole Thomas-Skevelair and her husband, Leon; and Mildred’s brandnew great-grandchild Conor Gascon. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her brother William, his wife Nancy; and sister Evelyn O’Connor.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., March 10, at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Lane, Old Lyme. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., March 11, in Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme. Burial will follow at Duck River Cemetery, Old Lyme. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to LiveWell SNF for their resident music and enrichment programs: Livewell, 1261 South Main St., Plantsville, CT 06479 (please note “resident music and enrichment program” on the check). The family would like to extend a warm thank you to everyone at LiveWell, especially the staff of 1B, for their loving care and for making her feel a welcome part of the neighborhood over these past two years. To sign the online guest book, visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com.