Obituary of Esther Mae Dunphy O'Brien

Esther Mae Dunphy O’Brien, formerly of East Haven, died January 18, 2010 at Whitney Center surrounded by her children. Mrs. O’Brien was born on February 1, 1916 in South Hadley, MA, the daughter of Owen and Catherine Dunphy. She was valedictorian of her high school class and received a Bachelor of Science degree in entomology from Massachusetts State College (now the University of Massachusetts) in 1937. She also earned a Master of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State College in 1966. Mrs. O’Brien taught in the South Hadley and Belchertown schools, and resumed her teaching career in East Haven after raising her family.She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, George E. O’Brien, Sr., and by four siblings: Frances Piasecki, Owen Dunphy, John Dunphy and Glenn Dunphy.She is survived by three children and their spouses: George and Peggy O’Brien of Hamden, James and Gina O’Brien of Killingworth, and Katherine and Leslie Clements of Cheshire. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Erin Park (Hyong Jin), George O’Brien (Julie), Sean Clements, Nora O’Brien, Daniel O’Brien and Molly O’Brien, as well as by numerous nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 21, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Clancy Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 22, at Saint Thomas More Chapel, 268 Park Street, New Haven. Friends are asked to go directly to church. The family requests in lieu of flowers that contributions in Mrs. O’Brien’s memory be made for Haitian relief to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090 or on line at https://secure.crs.org.