Obituary of Eleanor G. "Gail" O'Brien

O’BRIEN – Eleanor G. “Gail” (George), 90, Ebensburg, passed away peacefully Nov. 27, 2010, at home surrounded by family. Born Dec. 18, 1919, in Greensburg, daughter of John A. Sr. and Lucy (Murray) George. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Matthew J.; brothers, John Jr. and Richard; sisters, Estelle, Marie and Dorothy; an infant son; daughter, Mary; and great-granddaughters, Marie and Meghan O’Brien. Survived by loving and devoted children, Patricia G. Tuchi (Ben), Tucson, Ariz.; Matthew J. (Sally), Gettysburg; Richard G. (Martha), Ebensburg; Colleen M. Forst (James), Morgantown, W.Va.; and Kerry J. Himmelberger (Robert), Coronado, Calif.; as well as grandchildren, John J. Tuchi (Maria), Phoenix, Ariz.; Matthew Michael O’Brien (Christine), Erie; Matthew P. Tuchi (Allison), Charlotte, N.C.; Meghan K. (O’Brien) Wyatt (Peter), Gettysburg; Kelly A. O’Brien (Harold), Revloc; Kevin S. O’Brien (Rebecca), Ebensburg; Brien H. Forst (Stacy), Huntertown, Ind.; Brendan P. Forst (Kara) and Brice D. Forst, Morgantown, W.Va.; Eric Himmelberger, New York, N.Y.; Kelly Himmelberger, Phoenix, Ariz.; and sisters, Elizabeth Appleby, Marjorie and Margaret George, all of Greensburg. Also survived by great-grandchildren, Alexander and Catherine Tuchi; Ben and Grace Tuchi; Colin, Caitlin and Conor O’Brien; Quinn and Logan Jones; Justin and William “Alex” Jeffers; Abigail, Jameson, Liam and Isabel O’Brien; and Peyton Forst. She was a 1937 graduate of Greensburg High School and worked in Greensburg prior to moving to Ebensburg and starting her beloved family. A 72-year resident of Ebensburg, Gail was a devout Catholic and a member of Holy Name Roman Catholic Church in Ebensburg. She was a doting mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, known to many, simply as “Ma.” Always proud of her family, community and neighborhood, Gail will be sadly missed by all who knew her, as the classy and beautiful white-haired woman who always greeted with a smile and who found humor in the fact that everyone guessed her age to be 20 years less than her actual age. She was thrilled to have her family together to celebrate her 90th birthday this past year, as well as attending the Centennial Celebration of Holy Name School, where her children all attended, and of which she was a big proponent. Her youngest great-granddaughter was born on her 90th birthday, a fact that she proudly pronounced to all her friends and neighbors. Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at Matevish and Matevish Funeral Home, Ebensburg. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Holy Name Catholic Church, Ebensburg, Monsignor Arnold L. Gaus, officiating. Interment, Holy Name Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Gail’s name to Holy Name School Angel Fund, 215 W. Horner St., Ebensburg, Pa. 15931.