Obituary of Marianne O'Brien

Marianne “Joyce” O’Brien, (nee Jensen), age 76, of Joliet, formerly of Aurora and Plainfield, and a summer resident of Leesburg, IN passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana, in Ft. Wayne, following a very brief illness.

Born September 10, 1941 in Aurora, IL she was the daughter of Lawrence P. and Anna (nee Amberly) Jensen, and a graduate of Madonna High School.  She was Purchasing Manager for GTE Airfone at the onset of the first in flight seat phones, and later worked as a District Secretary for Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C until her retirement.

Joyce was an avid reader and enjoyed travel and spending her summers at her home on Lake Tippecanoe in Indiana.  She was very active in her favorite charity NLOB Plainfield making sleeping mats for the homeless from recycled plastic bags. Her love of travel took her on adventures around the world and every back road called her name. Joyce talked to everyone she encountered, most of whom became lifelong friends. She truly never met a stranger.

Surviving are her beloved children, Kelly A. DeRocco, Wendy M. Long, John T. (Hilary S.) O’Brien, six grandchildren, Nickolas M. DeRocco, Madison M. DeRocco, Sean P. Long, Scott J. Long, Kevin L. O’Brien, and Holly M. O’Brien; one great granddaughter, Addelynn M. Long; her brother, Robert E. “Bob” (Joyce A.) Jensen; one sister, Cheryl M. (William R.) Calkins; and one niece and two nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, and an infant brother, Gary.

Visitation for Marianne O’Brien will be held Tuesday, May 29, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Roads, Joliet.  Services will be private and interment will be in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Aurora.  For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com