Well Maur, again as things occur, I still move to grab the phone ready to call you either to merely share or hear your words of wisdom.  These words of wisdom were usually what I needed in order to repair a recipe. The last one was overly sweet and you said to add some vinegar; I was so impressed with your knowledge.  Turned out as we were talking, you looked it up on Google!  😅 There was that age difference again; I still don’t think to Google. 
Halloween is approaching and I was recalling the years (before grandchildren) that you would come to my place. I always give the big bars and you insisted on bringing boxes of Huggie Drinks and bags of chips.  This house was famous.  How I miss those days; how I miss you. 
I dropped Jennifer off at the Benedum and was calling Tyler.  It caused me to think of the time I did that with you in my car and every time I would say “Tyler” the response was something like “dial by number” and it was making me crazy. Well, this time I said “Tyler”, nice and clear and it said back to me “Maureen”!  
Oh Maur, you are so very missed.  How am I ever going to finish all my Single Malt Scotch.  🥃 💙

Couldn’t help thinking that I know exactly where you would be tonight when I saw that Donnie Iris & The Cruisers are playing at UPMC Event Center. To make it even better, the Clarks are there as well. You and your concert partner, JB,  would be right up front. 
Ordinarily if you were attending that event, I’d say something dorky like “you’ll be in heaven” seeing them. 😅 
Going to have to come up with a new line. You are always in my thoughts honeygirl.

I’m always looking for those words of wisdom and came across this.  Works for me girlfriend. 


We talk about them, not because we're stuck or because we haven't moved on, but we talk about them because we are theirs, and they are ours, and no passage of time will ever change that.

SCRIBBLES & CRUMBS

Yesterday I was telling my Jennifer that it had been one year since our conversation on the silly bent carrot commercials. You were in the middle of transcribing and I commented how I keep  forgetting you are still a working gal, the Office Manager Extraordinaire.  
There hasn’t been a day since the 26th of January, 2023,  that I haven’t thought of you.
 I think of your beautiful grandchildren and the love you felt for them, the joy they brought to your life and all of the plans you had going forward. 
Your children, though grown, no longer have their amazing mother in their lives. I can almost smile when I say that because I want to add “Mother Extraordinaire”.  You are missed beyond words Maur and I will never stop grieving the loss of you.

Man, Ethel. Here we are, one year later.  One year of firsts without you. I was thinking about you the other day (as I frequently do), and I smiled and chuckled at our memories - - Trick or Treat, remember the rain and me in heels!  ‘Bring Your Daughter to Work Day,’ when my Mom’s company stopped doing it, you brought me with you - - I can see you in my mind’s eye wearing your skirt and sneakers and taking me on a walk downtown on your lunch break. Our Starbucks dates.  All the evenings at my Mom’s. These are just a few of the many.
Ethel, I miss you.  There are days where I forget you’re gone and I think my Mom is going to tell me about you two donating blood, or going out to eat.  As much as I miss you, it doesn’t compare to the pain I know my Mom is still experiencing, losing the greatest friend she will ever have.  I hope you’re sending her signs and keeping an eye on her down here. 
Last year, I was texting you and joking about how you really know how to bring in the New Year, and this year, I’m writing to you in a memorial and it absolutely stinks.
I love you Ethel.

Miss her smile and laughter, she was a special young lady.
Never complained and always made everyone smile. 
She will never be forgotten.   

Marilyn Erbst

All of the holidays and special occasions that have gone by since January 26, 2023, that, for decades, had a “pre” and a “post” that involved Maureen.  This was never more evident to me than the day before Thanksgiving. As I hand cut the celery and onions into small, uniform pieces, I was painfully aware just how much life has changed now that you are no longer here.  
Some silly “traditions” that I did not think to be a tradition until they stopped, ended, when you left.  You are so missed Maur, and yet, I believe if there was a way for you to know, for you to see the vacuum, the emptiness felt when you left, you would still not be convinced what you meant to so many. 
I miss you Maur. You were so much a part of my life’s routine and I still find myself reaching for the phone to share good or bad news with my bestie. 😅 Now I just speak out loud to the air and hope you hear me. 🥲

Omigoodness Maur - I still can’t write without crying.  There will never be adequate words to explain how much you are missed. 💔

Happy Mothers’ Day Honeygirl 💐

How do I begin to describe the loss that I and all who knew Maureen O'Brien Smith are feeling from this loss of such a truly unconditionally loving and giving person? Miss Maur and I shared a love of everything Star Wars. I would go on a search every year to find the neatest Star Wars find to add to her collection.  It was our thing! Miss Maur has been a part of my family since the early 90's. I can not recall a time ever seeing her without a Marvelous Smile of her face. It easily spread to anyone around her! And I have to mention her hair! Miss Maur had the best head of hair! On a more personal thought, I can only imagine what her daughter's Jenine  and Danielle must be feeling. How it is unimagineable, unthinkable and yet reality feels like a brick!! I am so full of sorrow for your loss, for her grandchildren's loss, for her sisters' and brothers' and friends' loss.  All who met and have known Miss Maur loved her! She will be greatly missed by all! Rest In Peace Miss Maureen O'Brien Smith May Flights of Angels Sing The To Thy Rest.

dearest family. I loved Maureen. She had a great spirit. .She enjoyed my jokes.  I appreciated  her reactions.  Her face told me that she knew I was funny with my observations.      I pray she is at rest  I live at the Chateau.  So I would get to see her.  
May God watch over her. And May stay by us.  Peace and Love.  ,  Ellen Savadge. 

To Maureen's Family:

I only have known Maureen for a short time.  However, in that time, I have gained a great neighbor and friend.  I've even befriended Schmiggy and Pita!

I am very sorry for your loss, as Maureen, was such a wonderful person and quite hilarious!

She was really such a cheerful person all the time and so joyful.  Any time I saw Maureen , she always made me smile.

Maureen will always be remembered by me, as she is one of the most wholesome people I've ever met.

My thoughts are with you all.




I was blessed to work with Maur for more than 20 years. She was more than a co-worker, she was also a friend and confidante (and daily Words With Friends opponent). Maur was generous, supportive, kind, warm, funny and smart. And boy did she love her family and her sweet grandchildren. I’ll truly miss her every day…her laugh, her smile, the twinkle in her eyes, her excellent proofreading, her thoughtful notes and her willingness to play WWF all these years. She was the best.  My heart hurts for her family and all who loved her. 

Maureen and I never meet in real face to face but i always cherish the weekly Internet visit getting to know her and the family that i think as my own. In my own way i loved her more then ever could be spoken she was a true and real friend I will miss her so much .. As others have said her laugh in fact the last time we spoke i had her laughing and she said i was mad maybe i am a little .
But i will say again i will miss you  Maur my dear dear friend . Take care on the travels you now make, God be with you always.. XX 

I’m given 2000 characters to write about a woman who has been a part of my life for nearly three decades; there’s simply no way.  I have typed and erased several times, trying to find the words to express the impact Maureen, or Ethel, as I’ve always called her, has made in my life.  I can hear her voice and laugh right now, “Hey, honey girl!”  This is a loss that is being felt by so many and while my heart feels hollow thinking how I won’t receive another call or text, it’s nothing compared to the void I know her family is feeling.  I will continue to miss and reminisce about my Ethel; I sure do love her.

Add a memory . . . a memory.  Almost 3 decades of a sisterhood, an intimacy of friendship, a true, forever friend, a friendship few experience or know is possible.  Maureen is it. The first person with whom I shared accomplishments and defeats, joy and sorrow; she listened and was always available, I love her.  I expected Maur to always be here, my bestie, my fellow traveler in life’s journey.  I’m sad for everyone who love her; her huge family, her children and her beloved grandchildren that own her heart.  No matter where I look, I’ll forever be reminded of Maureen.  I’ll see her in the gifts she gave and the texts I’ll save. I’ll continue to talk to her; she just won’t be here. 💔

Dear Friends and Family of Maur...

Like you all, I am absolutely gobsmacked at this loss to the world...
I cannot think of another word to describe how I feel at this news...

Know that she was a light in my life, always there with a smile and that infectious laugh...
Oh, that laugh...
I can still hear it...

She will be both missed and thought of every day...

Warmly in Sadness...
Paul Kunkel

Enjoyed our family reuion and all the love we shared so glad we got to see each other again with laughs and smiles. Rest in Peace

Maureen your smile lit up the room and our lives. May you now  fly thru the heavens with your wings like a  beautiful dove we will miss you love always Irene O'Brien Goodnight

My condolences to Maureen’s family and friends. I have just  got reacquainted with her this year since grade school through facebook. I will always remember her gentle ways and infectious laugh. 
Prayers for comfort for all.
Mary Frederick Nagy 


My dear cousin Maureen always had a smile to share. I will miss her but am so grateful that I had a chance to get to know her better during my time in Pittsburgh. I will miss her when we move back. Family is so important. 

OBITUARY

Maureen A. (O'Brien) Smith

June 10, 1959 – January 26, 2023

H.P. Brandt Funeral Home

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