Mary was born in Springfield, IL, on February 11, 1927, the daughter of Davis and Olive Weis Fowler. She married Roland F. O’Bryen in Farmersville on November 19, 1947.
She graduated from Farmersville High School and went on to be a supervisor for the Illinois Department of Revenue for 35 years before retiring on May 31, 1984. Strong in faith, Mary was a member of the St. Therese Guild, Our Lady’s Rosary Makers, a Magic Match sponsor, Springfield Civic Garden Club, and a Charter Life Member of the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation. She was named the 2023 Woman of Distinction for the Church of the Little Flower. Mary was an avid reader, loved making ceramics, knitting, and travelling. She also had great love for her family and was the family historian.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sister, Ruth Fowler Brown.
She is survived by her son, Michael O’Bryen, of Roopville, GA; daughter, Kathleen O’Bryen, of Rochester; grandchildren, Rob, Abbie, Shellie, Jenny, and Erin; great-grandchildren, Sean, Jordan, Chandler, Madison, Roxie, Gage, Lilley, Cooper, and Pepper Ann; great-great-grandchildren, Audrey, Olivia, Emersyn, Weston, and Walker; two nieces; one nephew; and several cousins.
Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. a.m. on Tuesday, September 19, at Church of the Little Flower, 800 Adlai Stevenson Dr., Springfield, IL. A Funeral Ceremony will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Al Kemme, celebrant
Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Little Flower and Little Flower School.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.
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