Obituary of Aileen O'Brien

Aileen Fitzgerald O'Brien

May 24,1931-October 14, 2019

 

Aileen O'Brien died peacefully on October 14th in her home in the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly in Monteagle, Tennessee.

 

She was born in Huntington, Long Island to Ethel and Frank Fitzgerald of Roselle, New Jersey. She grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where her family moved soon after her birth.

 

Aileen was an accomplished swimmer and had the opportunity to try out for the Olympics. She was a graduate of the University of Miami and a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Aileen loved the water and was an excellent mariner with sail boats. She was involved in many charities including Fort Lauderdale's Beaux Art.  She was a talented artist know as both an accomplished florist and sculptor. She had stints as a model in Fort Lauderdale for many of the local stores including Burdines.

 

She inherited her mother's store, "The Gift Box" located on Los Olas Boulevard and took it to a new level. She later moved her shop to Lookout Mountain where she continued to give lessons on both Needlepoint and Petit Point to groups and individuals.

 

Aileen moved to the Monteagle Assembly in 1976, and the 43 years there were the happiest years of her life.

 

Ever the volunteer, she became very involved with Assembly organizations including Membership and Landscaping for which she received the President's Award. Aileen was most proud of her development of "Moses Rock" and its Waterfall which were given in memory of Wayne Jervis.  She started the Wildflower Bed at the Ball Field and planted more than 4000 daffodil and buttercup bulbs along Juanita Creek.

 

In keeping with he love of flowers she did the floral arrangements for multiple weddings, taught seminars, and sold her dried flower creations at the Assembly.

 

She is survived by her daughter Cindy Huston (Mike) of Atlanta, her son Kevin O'Brien of Fort Lauderdale and her beloved grandchildren Kelly O'Brien, William O'Brien, Alan Huston, Kendall Huston, Melissa Huston, and great grandson Gavin Kopyldoski. She is also survived by the many Assembly Members who knew her as "The Flower Lady" and cherished the years of her friendship.

 

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly or to Animal Harbor of Winchester, Tennessee.

 

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, October 26, 2019 in Warren Chapel, in the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly.

 

A reception to celebrate her life will follow the service at The Edgeworth Inn.

An interment will be held in the Monteagle Assembly Cemetery during the Summer

of 2020.