Dorie McHugh O’Brien, age 68, of Buckhannon, WV, passed away Thursday, June 2, 2011 while surrounded by family at the Monongalia General Hospital in Morgantown, WV. She was born February 7, 1943 in Philadelphia, PA a daughter of the late James Farrell and Doris Guyer McHugh. Also preceding her in death was one sister, Martha McHugh. On August 8, 1976 she married Bill O’Brien who survives. Also surviving are one son, Jamie O’Brien of Buckhannon; one daughter, Emmalee O’Brien of Buckhannon; two sisters, Jane Helmick and husband Charlie of Buckhannon and Diana Cruickshank and husband Jim of Paducah, KY; two sisters-in-law, Jane O’Brien Ayers and husband Jim of Columbus, OH and Katy O’Brien Greenhill and husband Kip of Columbus; six nephews one of whom is local, C. J. Helmick of Buckhannon; seven nieces, two of whom are local, Charliena Helmick of Buckhannon and Dorina Helmick of Bridgeport, WV. In 1960 she graduated from the Stevens School for Girls, Chestnut Hill, PA. , in 1964 she graduated from WVWC in Buckhannon, in 1976 she received her Masters Degree from WVU in Morgantown, WV. From 1964-68 she taught at the Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, PA, from 1970-76 she taught at the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, PA and from 1977-80 she taught in the Upshur County School System, in 1982 she opened the Island Nursery-kindergarten where she remained the owner and director for the past 29 years. She was a member and past president of the Junior Women’s Club, member and past president of Buckhannon Chapter AAUW, member and president of Upshur Co. Arts Alliance, former member St. Joseph’s hospital Aux., former member of the Alumni Council of WVWC, a member of a local book club and bridge club. Lifetime member of the Second Baptist Church of Germantown, PA and attended the First United Methodist Church of Buckhannon. She was active in her children’s activities, swimming, soccer, cheerleading, chorale, Girl Scouts and PTO. She especially enjoyed gardening, reading, teaching, cooking, playing cards and family activities. Friends will be received at the Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home Monday, June 6, 2011 from 5-9 PM. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery. Poling-st. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
