Marilyn O'Brien

Marilyn D. O’Brien, 67, of Jacksonville passed away after a brief illness on August 27, 2011. She graduated from Avoca High School in Avoca, NY and attended Corning Community College for two years studying Secretarial Science. She was employed as a Secretary for Ingersoll Rand Company headquartered in Painted Post, NY.

Marilyn and her husband Michael moved to Jacksonville from Corning, NY on their wedding day in 1970.

She spent most of her career with the American Lung Association of Florida, first as an Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director and then Administrator of the Florida Thoracic Society (FTS), the association’s medical arm. During her career she expanded the work and outreach of FTS by helping to grow their membership and increase attendance at FTS and American Lung Association medical workshops for pulmonary specialists, nurses, respiratory therapists and other health professionals.

Following her retirement from the American Lung Association, she continued helping with FTS and American Lung Association conferences and events as a dedicated volunteer.

Marilyn also enjoyed spending volunteer time at Holy Spirit Catholic Church where she was an active member for many years.

Marilyn, born in Atlanta, GA, was one of three children of the late John and Dorothy Duquette. She is survived by her husband Michael of 41 years; son Michael (Lindsay); brother James (Patricia) of Avoca, NY; sister Ellen (TJ) of Portland, IN and loving nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 1, 2011 at Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 850 St. Johns Bluff Road N., Jacksonville FL 32225, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 2, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11665 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225. Following the Mass, there will be an escorted procession to the Jacksonville National Cemetery on 4083 Lannie Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association of the Southeast, 6852 Belfort Oaks Place Jacksonville, FL 32216. Phone: (904) 743-2933.

Eulogy for Marilyn

I have known Marilyn ever since she first came to work for the Florida Tuberculosis Association, now the American Lung Association of the Southeast. For years, she was in the office next to mine, and we talked every day about family, friends, work, and whatever crisis or issue I might be facing.

Marilyn was a multi-faceted person who had a passion for her family, her work, the patients and physicians she helped in so many ways, and her many friends.

Most importantly, she loved her husband Michael as much as any wife could adore and cherish a husband. She was so proud of Michael’s accomplishments when he worked for the City of Jacksonville, and especially his mastery of all things computer --- way before computers were the norm.

She loved her son “Young Michael” and was very proud of the man he has become. I’m convinced that his parents and dedication to scouting helped form his caring and warm character. We talked about young Michael and his escapades all the time, especially the many girls he dated. Michael was quite the ladies man and Marilyn and I were always speculating as to when he would meet “the one” --- then one day she told me that Michael is dating the most wonderful girl in the world, and we are keeping our fingers crossed. Lindsay, I have never seen Marilyn as happy as she was on the day you and Michael got married. She was so proud of you and all that you have accomplished. She did not regard you as a daughter in law, but as a daughter.

Marilyn loved her job. She accomplished so much when she was in charge of the Florida Thoracic Society and physician education courses such as Tri State and Wintercourse. All the pulmonary specialists in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina knew Marilyn – along with many other members of the American Thoracic Society. Other lung associations envied Marilyn’s success in growing and expanding the Thoracic Society.

I envied Marilyn’s understanding of the research projects that were funded under her leadership. I often attended the meetings where they decided which projects to fund and never understood a word that was being said. Marilyn understood the scoring system, the research lingo, and the impact that these research projects would have on everyday lung patients.

She and Michael retired on the exact same day in order to spend more time together and enjoy their retirement, but she continued her work with the Lung Association, but this time as a Candy Holloway’s number one volunteer.

Marilyn loved her Mom and Dad and often brought her fun loving Dad to the office to work as a volunteer when he was visiting. She loved her sister, Ellen and her brother James and their families, rejoicing in good times and sharing their pain when things were not going just right. She was also devoted to Michael’s family, especially his Mom. For years, they had dinner with her every Sunday night.

She loved football, most specifically the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Everyone knew to leave her alone if Notre Dame was playing on TV.

She had a special place in her heart for animals and did not pick normal pets. She and Michael had a big Mackaw called Mr. Spock …this bird was so smart that he could open the locked cage and slip out …this about drove Marilyn crazy. Then one day she told me that she had something she wanted to show me …something about having a Harley. I could not believe that Marilyn had bought a motorcycle to ride with Michael. She showed up at my house with a great big rescue Greyhound Dog called Harley. That dog proved how fast he could be when he spotted my two cats…they survived all nine lives in one split second running from that greyhound.

She loved this Holy Spirit Catholic Church and devoted a great deal of volunteer time, doing what she does best….helping behind the scenes and trying to make things function more efficiently.

I could go on and on about all the many things that Marilyn loved, but the most important message I want to relay to Michael, Young Michael, Lindsay, Ellen, and James is that everyone loved Marilyn, especially her Lung Association family, not only in the Southeast, but all across the country. And I loved her for being one of the best friends I have ever had.

Condolences may be shared at www.hardage-giddenschapelhills.com.