Mary V. O'Brien

Mary Virginia O’Brien passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026. Mary was born in Indianapolis on September 5, 1935, to her parents James and Anna (Reidy) O’Brien. Mary is survived by her brother Thomas and sister Barbara (Joseph) Minatel as well as many nieces and nephews. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, James, Robert, Jack, Michael and Bernard and one sister, Patricia Norton.

Mary graduated from St. Agnes Academy in Indianapolis in 1953. She later became a Franciscan Sister and served for over 45 years. She received a bachelor’s degree from Marian College in 1961 and master’s degrees from Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee and Mundelein College in Chicago.

Mary’s career in education began in 1956 as an elementary school teacher before serving as a school principal in Cincinnati and later as an area superintendent of schools in Dayton and Cincinnati. Mary returned to Indianapolis in 1990 as principal at St. Lawrence School. Mary then moved to Florida where she served as Vice President of Mission Effectiveness at Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She later worked as Director of Religious Education at St. Coleman Parish in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Mary’s proudest moment was in 1982 when she served as hostess to Mother Theresa for a day in Cincinnati during a celebration for the 800th anniversary of the birth of St. Francis of Assisi.

The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Augustine Home for the Aged (Little Sisters of the Poor). Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. prior to the mass. St. Augustine Home is located at 2345 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260. Graveside services following the mass will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, 2446 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46225.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Augustine Home for the Aged (Little Sisters of the Poor).