Maryann O'Brien

Maryann O’Brien, age 69, of Springfield, PA, passed away on September 13, 2022. 

Maryann was born in Philadelphia on July 27, 1953.  After high school, she worked at Bell Telephone for many years and later worked as a Counselor at the Keystone Center in Chester, PA. 

Maryann raised her daughter, Rachel, with her husband, Tom.  As a family, they enjoyed traveling and spending time with other family members.  Maryann enjoyed gardening with her husband and decorating their home.   Together they helped others in the family with household moves, home repairs and decorating tips.   She was an avid reader and loved her crossword puzzles.

At the age of 41, Maryann was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer and miraculously survived following a year of intensive treatment.   However, the side effects from treatment left her with a compromised heart and lung condition, requiring her to stop working. 

About this time, Maryann became a grandmother to the first of her daughter’s five children.  Her grandchildren became the focus of her life and she enjoyed many wonderful years sharing time and helping with them.  Maryann also participated in lung cancer research conferences sharing her story of survival. 

Sadly, within weeks of her youngest grandchild turning the age of 9, her daughter, Rachel, died of breast cancer, leaving Maryann and the children devastated.  Despite Maryann’s grief and weakening health, over the past 6 years she gave all of herself to raising her grandchildren. 

Her own words from a health care questionnaire asking how she wanted to be remembered, said, “That I loved my family beyond any measurement, especially my grandchildren.  I tried as hard as I could to be there for them as long as possible and will always be with them.”

Maryann is survived by her husband, Thomas G. Burgoyne, and her grandchildren Raina, Alex, Ariana, Max and Celeste.  She is also survived by her sisters Patricia O’Brien (Doug), Catherine Wilson (Rick), Grace Culbertson and her brother, John O’Brien (Jeanne). 

Relatives and friends are invited to Maryann’s Celebration of Life on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at 1:00 PM at The Oaks Ballroom, 511 W. Oak Lane, Glenolden, PA 19036. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions to MANNA at donate.mannapa.org would be appreciated.