Edith O'Brien

Edith O'Brien, born April 18th, 1958, in Los Angeles, California, passed away on February 17th, 2026. She lived a life marked by curiosity, faith, adventure, and a deep devotion to the people and causes she loved.

Edith proudly served in the United States Air Force, where she was a B-52 crew member. Her time in the military reflected the same courage and determination that would define much of her life. Following her service, she pursued multiple engineering degrees and professional licenses, building an impressive career in highly technical fields. She worked with several defense contractors and later contributed her talents to the field of space science, combining sharp intellect with a lifelong passion for learning and exploration.

Edith was also a gifted storyteller. Friends and family often found themselves captivated by her many tales - whether entirely factual or slightly embellished was sometimes impossible to know - but they were always memorable and entertaining. Her stories, like her life, were full of color and humor.

In her younger years, Edith embraced the freedom of the open road. She rode motorcycles alongside her brother, Irl, as a member of the Los Barachos biker club of Southern California, creating stories and memories that she would share for decades.

Music was another expression of Edith's faith and heart. She was a musician who wrote and published several worship songs, using music as a way to praise God and encourage others in their faith. Her unyielding devotion to Jesus Christ guided her life and shaped her commitment to outreach, generosity, and service to those around her.

Edith loved her family with all her heart and was always quick to give, help, or do whatever she could whenever someone was in need. Her life was not without hardship - she faced many challenges and endured numerous ailments over the years - but her joy, kindness, and generous spirit remained untainted. Even through difficulty, she continued to offer encouragement, laughter, and compassion to those around her.

Edith will be remembered for her intelligence, humor, adventurous spirit, and steadfast faith. She leaves behind a legacy of generosity, faith, music, and unforgettable stories.

She is survived by her husband, William O'Brien Jr.; her siblings, Irl and Kim Henderson, Jerry and Deb Sommerville, Terry and Mike Wagemann, Robert and Dafnee Sommerville, and Nola and Keith Anderson. Her sisters, with whom she shared a particularly close bond, will miss her deeply. She also leaves behind two longtime and beloved companions, her dogs, Dusty (very old) and Daisy (even older), who faithfully shared many years at her side.

Edith's life was rich with adventure, faith, music, service, and laughter. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memory will live on in the lives she touched.