July 16, 1919 ~ April 2, 2014
Mary O’Brian passed away peacefully at her home in Roberts Creek, Wednesday April 2. The window was open, the sun shining, the breeze blowing, waves lapping, the gulls and eagles calling.
Mary’s passing is the end of an era. She was the last surviving sibling of the Covernton family, which loved and was part of  Roberts Creek since 1919.  Mary belongs to that fading generation of women who were ladies with backbone. She knew how to entertain with elegance and humour and misbehave with panache.
Mary possessed a loving soul and youthful spirit. She volunteered for years at the Vancouver Crisis Centre and her much younger friends from the Sunshine Coast will remember Mary’s work at the Wilson Creek Youth Home. She wrote for Mike Harcourt, summarizing his speeches, and was one of the founding members of the Roberts Creek Library. Formidable at wordplay she will be remembered for her massive Scrabble parties and “twisted” ability with cryptic crosswords.
Mary treasured her garden and the healing waters  of the ocean. A strip of land near the Roberts Creek wharf, where she lived and chose to die, was sacred to her. First acquired by her father, Dr. Charles Covernton, from Harry Roberts in 1919, this was where she spent every summer of her life and where she lived for the last 40 years. She made her home the hub of existence for the
72 members of her ever-growing  family. The matriarch of their Roberts Creek is the one and only “Mame.”
Mame was predeceased by her loving husband of 70 years, Peter D. O’Brian. She is survived and much beloved by her five children, 17 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Her children, Maureen Bryce (Bill), Michael O’Brian (Inna), Trish DesBrisay (Phil Locke), Kerry McCulloch (David) and Denise O’Brian, invite friends and family to a celebration of her life to be held on Saturday, May 10,  2014  at  11 a.m. at 902 Bayview, Roberts Creek.
The O’Brian family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jim Petzold, who epitomizes the highest essence of compassionate care. We are also deeply grateful to Mame’s devoted caregivers, Leanne Flores and Maricel Manio.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.