Shirley Obrien

Shirley Ann (Grey) (Gates) O'Brien, 71 of Santa Fe, NM, formerly of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2007. She was born on August 21, 1936 in Portland, ME. She was a graduate of both Story High School, Manchester, MA and the Forsythe School for Dental Hygiene at Tufts University. After winning "Miss Cape Ann", she won the title of "Miss Congeniality" in the Miss Massachusetts pageant; any of Shirl's many friends, family or even casual acquaintances can attest to her having lived up to that bestowed title every day of her life. Prior to her raising her children, she served as a flight attendant for TWA. Shirley was the owner and proprietor of the former Dapper Dan's restaurant and the chef of the Inn of the Animal Tracks, both of Santa Fe, NM. At the time of her passing, she was the manager of El Nicho, a renowned folk art gallery in Santa Fe. She is survived by 3 of her children, Lieutenant George "Rick" O'Brien, Boston Fire Department, and his wife Alice of Winthrop, MA; Debra Haraden and Daniel O'Brien, both of Santa Fe, NM; grandchildren Pfc Steven O'Brien, USMC, of Camp Lejeune, NC, Christine O'Brien of Winthrop, MA and Dustin, Dillon & Dakota Haraden of Santa Fe, a sister, Madelyn Dunn of Santa Fe, NM; 2 brothers, Lewis Gates of Pinellas Park, FL and Lee Gates and his wife Sonia of Manchester-by-the-Sea, nieces and nephews: Caren Smith of Albuquerque, NM, Bill & Scott Gates and Lori Ward of FL, and Josh Gates of Los Angeles, CA; she will also be missed by many great friends and extended family in Santa Fe and Manchester-by-the-Sea. She was preceded in death my her parents, Lewis and Olive Gates and a brother, Bill Gates all of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, former husband, George "Gus" O'Brien, a son, James "Randy" O'Brien, and son-in-law, Donald Haraden, all of Santa Fe, NM. As a pillar of the community in Manchester, Shirl was active in the PTA, Boosters' Club and Sacred Heart Church Choir. Since moving to Santa Fe, NM in 1998, she fully explored her love of fishing, the outdoors and her grandchildren. She never missed a game in which they were playing and enjoyed them immensely. Her cooking and baking skills were legendary, as all who knew her (and many who didn't) will long remember. Shirley's gift of prose is unfortunately absent from her own testimonial, but her own humility wouldn't have allowed her to give herself her just due. Her love of the Red Sox was a unrivalled, and rumors are circulating around Fenway that last Wednesday afternoon, even the Green Monster shed a tear. Despite the loss and suffering felt by all of us who knew and loved her, we can take comfort in knowing that, with Shirl's arrival, "Heaven is now a better place". Memorial donations can be made to the Donald A. Haraden Memorial Scholarship Fund at the State Employee's Credit Union, 813 St. Michael's Dr, Santa Fe, NM 87505. A celebration of Shirl's life will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at The Clubhouse at Avaria of Santa Fe, 1896 Lorca Drive (behind Smith's on St. Michael's Drive. Please park in rear). For friends and family in the area Manchester-by-the-Sea, a memorial Service will be held at a later date with details to be announced. The Rivera Family of Santa Fe Funeral Options and Memorial Gardens (505) 989-7032 www.santafefuneraloption.com