Pauline A. (Chalmers) O'Brien

Pauline A. (Chalmers) O’Brien, age 100, of Wilmington, formerly a long-time resident of Charlestown, passed away on July 16, 2022.

Pauline was born on November 2, 1921, in Hyde Park, MA; she was the cherished daughter of the late George A. and Anna (Henneberry) Chalmers.  Pauline was raised in Brighton and graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy.

Pauline worked as a secretary for more than ten years at the Ginsberg Paper Company in Somerville. Her attention to detail and organizational skills proved to be a great asset to the company.  Following her retirement, she volunteered her secretarial services to The Little Flower School in Somerville.

Pauline married her husband, the late John F. O’Brien, on July 1, 1944; the couple settled in Charlestown where they raised their four children, Patricia, Jeanne, Mary, and John Jr.  Pauline enjoyed spending time with her family and friends in Charlestown for almost fifty years before moving to Wilmington in 1992. 

Pauline became active in the Wilmington community; she enjoyed the Wilmington Senior Center where she made many friends.  Pauline participated in exercise classes and line dancing lessons.  She also looked forward to the Senior Center outings and events.

Pauline was a woman of great faith; she was a Parishioner of St. Thomas Church and attended Mass regularly.

Pauline spent many winters in Naples with her companion, the late Ralph Fox.  Pauline and Ralph had a circle of friends in Florida and looked forward to enjoying the nice weather with their friends.

Pauline will be remembered for the love of her family.  She was a loving mother, “Gran” and “Great Gran.”  She had an endearing personality, a heart of gold and a beautiful smile which will forever be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Pauline was the beloved wife of the late John F. O’Brien, devoted mother of Patricia O’Brien of Chelmsford, Jeanne King & her husband Robert of Tewksbury, Mary Young & her husband Robert of Wilmington, and the late John F. O’Brien & his wife Marilyn of Eugene, OR, loving “Gran” of Carolyn Newell & her husband Chris of Manhattan Beach, CA, Robert Young & his wife Maryann of Chelmsford, David King & his wife Jen of Tewksbury, Gregory Young & his wife Jennie of Hermosa Beach, CA, John F. O’Brien & his wife Jenee of Seattle, WA, and Briana O’Kelley & her husband Evan of Eugene, OR, “Great Gran” of Connor Young, Brendan Young, Julia Young, Madison Young, Kaia Young, Ryan King, Cadence King, Jack O’Brien, Arianna O’Brien, Olivia O’Kelley, Aiden O’Kelley, Declan O’Kelley, and Margaret O’Kelley, dear sister of the late George Chalmers.  Pauline was also very special to her companion of many years, the late Ralph Fox of West Roxbury.

Family and friends will gather for Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Thursday, July 21st from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  All will gather at the Funeral Home on Friday, July 22nd at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA at 10:00 a.m.  Interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden, MA.

Memorial donations in Pauline’s name may be made to the Buzzell Senior Center, 15 School Street, Wilmington, MA  01887.  www.nicholsfuneralhome.com