Audrey O'Brien

Audrey M. (Mumford) O'Brien, 86, of Pittsfield, MA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 15, 2023 with her loving family by her side at Berkshire Medical Center. She was such a strong and determined women - she was a true fighter, right up until her last breath.
Born in North Adams, MA, on January 30, 1937, she was the daughter of the late William R. and Emily (Hockridge) Mumford. She attended public schools in North Adams, graduating from Drury High School in 1954. While at Drury, she participated on multiple committees and was a baton twirler.
Audrey's passion for skiing, which began in her early twenties, lead her to become a ski instructor at Brodie Mountain Ski Area. It was there, that she met the love of her life, John "Jack" F. O'Brien, who was an alpine racing coach at Brodie. They were married on June 8, 1973 at Pilgrim Memorial Church in Pittsfield and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this summer. They passed their love of skiing onto their children.
She had always dreamed of having a "small cottage on a lake". That dream, and so much more, was realized when she and Jack built their home on Onota Lake in 1973. Audrey loved to host summer picnics for family and friends. Her favorite place to be was on her deck, overlooking Onota Lake and one of their greatest enjoyments was their afternoon cruise around Onota Lake.
Her first job was at Hayden Oil. Following that, she began a career at General Electric, Martin Marietta and finally Lockheed Martin where she retired as a Production Coordinator in 1994, after 27 years of service. Soon after retirement, she went to work for Berkshire Physicians & Surgeons, PC (BP&S) for 6 years.
Audrey was a very active person and she loved the seasons of the Berkshires. From skiing in the wintertime, to golfing and enjoying the lake in the summer, she found joy in the outdoors. Additionally, she found pleasure in cross stitch, her flower gardens and her extensive Hummel collection.
She and Jack enjoyed traveling. Some of their favorite adventures were to Ireland, England, Wales, Florida, Hawaii, Michigan, and ski trips throughout New England as well as Colorado.
Family meant everything to Audrey and she will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. In addition to her husband, Audrey is survived by her daughter, Lori J. O'Brien (Glenn Walter), stepson, Darren D. O'Brien, grandson, Gage O'Brien, and great granddaughter, Averie Rennie. In addition, she leaves her brother, William Mumford (Mary Jane Mumford) and her "grandDOGters", Alpine (who predeceased her in 2014) and Cisco - whom she considered her "personal therapy dog".
Since Audrey's stroke in September 2009, there have been so many people that have touched her life over the past 14 years. The O'Brien family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Mount Carmel Care Center as well as BMC 4West Oncology and HospiceCare of the Berkshires who provided extraordinary care to Audrey and her family during her final days.
SERVICES: Family and friends are invited to a memorial service to be held on Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 12 pm at Devanny-Condron Funeral Home. Calling hours will precede the service from 10 am - 12 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Audrey's memory may be made payable to "Mount Carmel Care Center Lenox-Activities Fund" or "Berkshire Humane Society" in care of Devanny-Condron Funeral Home, 40 Maplewood Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201.