Elizabeth Ann (Betty) O’Brien, age 96, of Hudson, WI, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at the Hudson Hospital. Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1924, in River Falls, WI to Everett and Anne (Baumgartner) Dodge. Elizabeth grew up in River Falls and graduated from River Falls High School. She attended four years at Wisconsin State College, now the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. About that time, Elizabeth met and fell in love with an Army Marksman, Thomas J. O’Brien. The two were married on November 22, 1947 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in River Falls.  The marriage would be blessed with 8 children. Life for their young family stayed very busy. Thomas obtained his doctorate and eventually became the Honorable Thomas J. O‘Brien, St. Croix County judge. While Judge was growing his law firm, Betty was home tending to the children. She loved to travel with her husband and kids. They traveled all over the country and enjoyed their cruises internationally.

At home, Elizabeth would tend to her flower gardens. She always had the most beautiful window boxes with the most vibrant colors in Hudson. Her faith was unmoved. Devotedly, Elizabeth would say her rosary many times daily. Up to her death, she held on to her rosary with great adoration. Elizabeth was trained at the MacPhail School of Music and was also the concert mistress (violin) in many orchestras.  In true O’Brien fashion, she cheered on all Wisconsin sports teams. More than anything else, Elizabeth was so proud of her family especially the singing of The O’Brien’s, her children’s vocal group, as the boys did acquire her love of music. She never missed their performances and would always attend with her beloved daughter Ann. Elizabeth also loved going to all concerts, plays and sporting events of her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elizabeth had a very large role in all of their lives as she babysat all of the grandchildren. Elizabeth loved her “little people”. She especially loved Christmas and holidays with the entire family. A family tradition at Christmas was to sing happy birthday to the baby Jesus.

Elizabeth is survived by her children, Thomas Jr. (friend Sandy), Patrick (Theresa), Timothy (Ellen), Ann, Daniel (Kathy), Christopher (Paula), and Sean (Cathy), daughter-in-law, Mary; 20 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren and many dear friends. Elizabeth is preceded in death by her husband Thomas James ‘TJ’, parents, Everett and Anne; and son Michael, and grandson Zachary Spohn.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial for Elizabeth will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Hudson at 11:00 am. Music will be provided by The O’Brien’s. Burial will take place at St. Patrick’s Cemetery to follow. A visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass at the church as well as on Monday, October 12, 2020 from 4-7 pm with a prayer at 6:45 pm at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, Wisconsin. Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home.