Joann Mary (LaTora) O'Brien
December 26, 1942 - September 26, 2024
Obituary for Joann Mary (LaTora) O'Brien
Joann Mary O’Brien, 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 26, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on December 26, 1942, Joann was a cherished "Christmas gift," the eldest child of John and Alba LaTora of Dorchester. She grew up in Saint Peter’s Parish and attended Monsignor Ryan Memorial High School. During this time, she was invited to a dance by a young man from Columbus High School, William J. O’Brien, who would become the love of her life. They married on August 1, 1964.
Joann and Bill began their life together in a home on Pleasant Street in Braintree, MA, where they welcomed three children—William Jr., Diane, and Timothy—before moving to Elliot Avenue in Quincy and celebrating the birth of their fourth child, Mark. They raised their family in North Quincy, eventually settling on Adams Street in Quincy, where they lived until Bill’s passing in 2017.
Joann dedicated herself to being a homemaker during her children’s younger years, hosting holidays, welcoming neighbors, and always making sure the house was filled with food and love. The O’Brien home was a place where you could always count on finding a warm meal—whether it was chicken cutlets or freshly baked brownies for her children and their friends. Later, Joann found a position she truly loved at Dr. Hemady’s Allergy Clinic, where she worked for 20 years. Her job brought her joy as it allowed her to help others.
Joann and Bill took great pride in watching their children grow, play sports, further their education, marry, and start families of their own. William Jr. married Christine Mulvey (of Quincy), Diane married Eric Brooks (of Richmond, NH), Tim married Lesley Bolick (of Framingham), and Mark married Jennifer Mercadante (of Medfield). Joann’s greatest joy in life, however, was being a grandmother to her beloved grandchildren: Devin O’Brien, Jared Brooks, William O’Brien III, Ryan Brooks, Kelly O’Brien, Dennis Brooks, Mark O’Brien Jr., Erin O’Brien, Sean O’Brien, Lily O’Brien, Jason Brooks, Christopher O’Brien, Rebecca Brooks, and Kevin O’Brien.
In addition to her children and grandchildren, Joann is survived by her brother John LaTora and his wife Nancy of Hanson, her brother-in-law Norton O’Brien Jr., and her niece Maria Santiago, along with her husband Humberto and their two daughters, Julianna and Ella.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Joann’s life at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, East Milton Square, on Wednesday, October 2, from 4-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Agatha Church, 432 Adams Street, East Milton, on Thursday, October 3, at 10:00 AM, followed by interment at Pine Hill Cemetery, Quincy.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joann’s memory may be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N Michigan Ave., 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 AM
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11:30 AM
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