A. Marlene (nee Crawley) O'Brien

It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Marlene O’Brien, who passed away at Pleasant View Towers on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 87 years of age.

Marlene was predeceased by her parents; Alphonse and Theresa Crawley, siblings: Veronica, Blanche, Barbara, Anita, Alma, Leonard, Brendan and Bernice. Husbands; Bob Condon and Kevin O’Brien. She is the last of the Crawley generation.

Leaving to mourn are her children; Juanita (Ray), Robert (Lori) and grand children: Kelly, Christopher, Robert, Alex and Lauren. Along with stepdaughters Valerie and Pam.  

Marlene lived a life of taking care of the people around her. She married her first husband Bob Condon and had Juanita and Robert after losing their first child. Soon after having Robert, Marlene decided to go back to school to be a cook. She then worked for many years at St. Luke's in St. Johns. Taking that commute every day and leaving Robert at home she looked across the street at the care home there. She thought, I can do that! So, in 1981, she moved her family downstairs of her house and made her home into a community care home of six residents. With the help of her second husband, Kevin O’Brien, she eventually expanded and purchased her childhood home and Hi Haven Manor from her brothers. Marlene always treated her residents as if they were her own family.

Marlene was always on the go. She loved her road trips to the Maritimes and Ontario to see her siblings. She never missed a bingo, a card game with friends, or a dance. She loved making ceramics and gave many away as presents. Her home was always open to strangers and loved ones who needed a place to stay, she took care of too many to count till their death, funeral arrangements, and everything that needed to be done. She gave jobs to many in the community, and helped so many families survive through hard times in Newfoundland. She never gave up. Taking care of people was her calling. It was her passion and will be her legacy.  We will miss her energy, her care for others, and the sparkle in her eye for fun and adventure. Till we meet again, Mom.  

At Marlene’s request, cremation has taken place. Resting at Dunphy’s Funeral Home, Holyrood. Visitation will take place on Thursday, February 13th from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 1:30 pm from Holy Cross Catholic Church, Holyrood with inurnment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Holyrood.

For those unable to attend, the funeral service will be livestreamed with the link available below.

Flowers grateful accepted or donations in Marlene’s memory may be made to the Gathering Place.