Mary P. O'Bryan's Obituary
Mary Peebles O’Bryan
Nov. 10, 1939 – May 28, 2022
Mary Peebles O’Bryan, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, was called home on May 28, 2022 to be reunited with the love of her life. Mary was born in Memphis, TN on November 10, 1939 to parents, Henry and Josephine Peebles. Four years later, brother James was added to the family. Mary grew into a precocious child who excelled in making friends, despite frequent moves and school changes.
Mary attended Central High School, graduating in 1957 and was a member of several social clubs and sororities. Then in 1959, at a nightclub in Memphis, Mary would meet her life-long love, Joe Pat. During this time, Mary was attending Brenau University in Gainesville, GA. Later she would transfer to Memphis State graduating with a degree in teaching in 1960. A brief career in teaching English and French in schools in Nashville followed.
Mary and Joe Pat were married on Dec. 26, 1961, at our Lady of Perpetual Help in Germantown, TN. They moved to Nashville shortly thereafter, where first child, Pat was born on July 19, 1963. The couple, plus one, then moved back to Memphis, where they welcomed a daughter, Meg, born June 9, 1965. It was then off to sunny Florida, with the young family settling down in Fort Myers, where another son, Hank was born on October 27, 1967 and daughter Kate, was born on September 26, 1969.
Mary ingratiated herself into her neighborhood and new home, making lifelong friends wherever she went. She attended to her children with all the love and affection possible, guiding their development and instilling in them her values of compassion and respect for all. She became heavily involved in her children’s activities, providing support, including serving as a chauffeur for baseball games and summer camps.
Mary invested heavily in the happiness and well-being of her children, while maintaining her infectious spirit, which was sure to make everyone in her presence happy and at ease. Aside from her children, Mary held tightly to her faith, and tried to live her life as Jesus taught us. She was a faithful member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church for 55 years.
Her four granddaughters would become her greatest joy, and they in turn were the recipients of Mary’s boundless love.
Mary is survived by her children and their spouses, Pat and Amy O’Bryan, Meg O’Bryan, Hank and Victoria O’Bryan and Kate and David Negip; and grandchildren, Sydney Stasinos, Madeline Negip, Claire and Erin O’Bryan.
A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, 10:00 AM at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, Fort Myers, FL. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the American Cancer Society and the Humane Society.
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