Obituaries

Dorothy T. O’Brien

Died January 17, 2016

SUTTONS BAY – Dorothy T. O’Brien, 95, of Suttons Bay, died at her home on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 with family at her side.

Dorothy was born on Feb. 6, 1920, at home in Suttons Bay to Bernard and Amelia “Mollie” (Weisler) Kohler.  She was the youngest of nine children.  She walked three miles every day to St. Michael’s Grade School and helped her mother with household chores.  She loved gardening and taking care of her sister, Rosie.  Dorothy’s family traveled by horse and buggy until she was in high school when her parents purchased a car.  Dorothy graduated from Suttons Bay High School and attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Grand Rapids for two years.  On Nov. 9, 1940, she married Julius O’Brien of Lake Leelanau at St. Michael’s Church in Suttons Bay.  After the wedding and breakfast at her parents’ home, the wedding party traveled to Traverse City in a blizzard to have pictures taken.

The following summer of 1941 Dorothy and Julius worked at the Omena Inn owned by her aunt, where they earned a total of $1000 for the entire summer.  With that money they bought O’Brien’s Tavern in Suttons Bay where they served hamburgers and beverages to their customers.  In 1942 they adopted their niece and nephew, Bonnie and Jerry, after Julius’ sister Leona passed away.  That same year, Julius enlisted and was sent to Germany to be a part of the infantry during WWII.  When Julius returned from service he became a Conservation Officer and the family moved to East Jordan, where Dorothy worked at Gulf and Western for over 20 years.  She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, taking care of the flower garden in front of the Blessed Mother’s statue.  They both retired in 1978 and bought a home in N. Ft. Myers, FL, where they spent their winters.

Dorothy moved back to Suttons Bay in 1999 after Julius had passed away the year prior, moving to a home she owned across from St. Michael’s Church.  Dorothy was so happy to be neighbors with her nephew, Ben Kohler and his wife Sylvia.  They took care of everything.  Losing Ben in 2008 was very hard for her but she still had Sylvia who she loved like a daughter and was there whenever she needed her.  She and her friend, Dodie Mikowski, were the watering girls for all the flower gardens at St. Michael’s for a few years.  She was also a member of the Golden Dusters at St. Michael’s (the ladies who took care of the priest’s home).  Dorothy was a devout catholic and loved being a member of St. Michael’s.  In 2000 her Yorkie, Sweet Pea, came to live with her and they were constant companions.  Sweet Pea was the love of her life.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Bonnie (Ike) Mellema of August, MI; five grandchildren, Deb (Pat) Gallagher and Robert (Mary) Mellema of Hickory Corners, MI, Susie (Matt) Yoder and Julius (Heather) O’Brien of Mackinaw City, MI, and Julie (Jeff) Smith of Richland, MI; 17 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.  She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews and godchildren, especially Virginia (Don) Oleson, Marcia (William) Meade, Linda (Ken) Mork, Ted (Andrea) Kohler, Julius (Cheryl) Bunek, and Sylvia Kohler, Dianne (Diz) Dalzell, Jeanette Huddleston, Deborah (Mark) Kohler, Joan (Dan) Kohler who were her home care nieces.  Dorothy will also be missed by her cousin Dodie Mikowski, and her high school friend, Helen Wransky.  She had extended family, friends, and caregivers who loved her and were a big part of her life.

  

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Julius O’Brien, four sisters, Mary Kohler Simon, Elizabeth Kohler Murphy, Magdalyn Kohler Hefferan, and Rosie Kohler; four brothers, Fr. Joseph Kohler, Richard Kohler, Leo Kohler, and Louis Kohler; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Betty O’Brien; grandson, Michael Mellema; and great-grandson Brandon Mellema.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. with the rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Church, Suttons Bay.  Fr. Leonard Paul and Fr. Jim Doherty will serve as celebrants.  Burial will be held in the spring at St. Michael’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Michael Catholic Church, PO Box 9, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 and/or to St. Mary School Endowment Fund, PO Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.

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