Alwina W. O'Brien

Alwina W. O'Brien, 98, of Columbia, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 surrounded by her family. She was born Alwina Philomena Wittenzellner at home in Hartford on July 3, 1916 to Max and Marie (Giese) Wittenzellner. Alwina was the widow of Major Thomas M. O'Brien, Sr. who served on the Connecticut State Police from 1943 to 1971. On June 26, 1937, she and Tom had eloped to Perth Amboy, NJ where they were married in secret, as nursing students at that time were not allowed to marry. Alwina attended Windsor High School and graduated from Hartford Hospital School of Nursing in 1939. She worked throughout her life as a registered nurse. She started the Visiting Nurses Association in Coventry where she worked for many years. In 1965 she became the school nurse at Windham Regional Vocational Technical School, retiring in 1982. Alwina is survived by her six children, Noreen Steele and her husband, Edward, of Columbia; Karen Johnston and her husband, Patrick, of Mesa, AZ; Thomas O'Brien, Jr. and his wife, Maribeth, of Charleston, SC; Kevin O'Brien and his wife, Patricia, of Manchester; Patricia Kelley of Delmar, NY and William O'Brien and his wife, Felicia, of Columbia as well as her devoted caregiver, Jaga Nawrot. She leaves behind 13 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Alwina was predeceased by two grandchildren, Brian Chandler and Gary Bottomley and one great-grand child, Chad O'Brien. Alwina was an active volunteer; president the local Red Cross chapter, charter member of the Columbia Seniors organization, and chairman of the Saxton B. Little booksale. She was a devout Catholic, and a founding parishioner of Saint Columba Church in Columbia. Active in Democratic politics, she was honored as Columbia Democrat of the Year in 2006. In 2010 she was named the grand marshal of Columbia's July 4th parade. She held a love of the Rhode Island shore where she spent many summers with her children and then their families as her circle of family and friends grew. The highlight of the summer for family and friends was Alwina's "Fourth of July Birthday at the Beach." She loved the beach, digging quohogs, and picking blueberries in Charlestown. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Alwina's memory to one of four groups: The Gary Bottomley Fund of the Saxton B. Little Free Library (319 Route 87, Columbia, CT 06237), Columbia Volunteer Fire Company (167 Route 66, Columbia, CT 06237), VNA Hospice, 34 Ledgebrook Drive, Mansfield Center, CT 06250 or the CT chapter of the American Red Cross. Her family will receive relatives and friends on Friday August 22nd between 5:00 and 7:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. Alwina's Funeral Mass will be said at 1:00pm on Saturday August 23rd at St Columba Church, intersection of Rte. 66 and Rte. 87 in Columbia. Burial will follow at the Center Cemetery in Columbia. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .