Frances Simpson O'Brien

Frances Simpson O’Brien, 98, of Beckley, passed away Thursday, July 23, 2020.
Born December 7, 1921 in Paducah, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late John Boyd Simpson and Mamie Beatrice Wileman. In 1942, Fran met and married the love of her life, Shamus.
Fran raised her family in Pittsburgh, PA and retired to Morehead City, NC. Following high school graduation, she began her career in a NC hosiery mill, worked for the Red Cross during WWII and also worked for Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh. She played piano by ear and wrote beautiful poetry. She loved reading and doing crossword puzzles and cryptoquotes. She was an avid armchair traveler. She loved life and shared that with everyone around her in an unassuming manner. Her sense of humor was front and center throughout her long life.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, James (Shamus) O’Brien. She is survived by her children, Jim (Eileen) O’Brien of Pittsburgh, Eileen (Fred) Maschal of Beckley, Dennis (Chris) O’Brien of Pittsburgh and Colleen O’Brien of Asheville as well as grandchildren Flynn, Chad, Shannon, Tod, Casey, Brandon, Reilly, Tait and Tegan; and great grandchildren Declan, Keelan, Aidan, Rowan, Morgan, Hannah, Liam, Alaina, Maridy, Nolan and Clancy.
Viewing for friends and family will be at 12:30 pm Saturday, July 25, 2020 at the Calfee Funeral Home, followed by a service at 2 pm with Pastor Vondie L. Cook, II officiating
In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to MaryKnoll Fathers and Brothers, PO Box 302 Maryknoll, NY 10545-0302.