Elise (Burkard) O’Brien, a 44-year resident of Winchester, passed away on May 20th, after a long illness. Born in Cambridge, she was the daughter of the late Ralph F. and Henrietta Burkard. She attended the Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill and, upon graduation, furthered her education in secretarial college. In 1945, she married Robert F. O’Brien. They moved to Winchester in 1964 where they raised their family and shared 38 years of marriage until his death in 1983. An animal-lover, Mrs. O’Brien established a fondness for horses at an early age and owned horses while growing up in Arlington. In due course, she developed into an avid horsewoman and accomplished equestrienne. She was a caring mother who loved her three daughters, who knew her as a “master-knitter”. Elise especially took pleasure in knitting Lopi sweaters for her children and friends. She also enjoyed gardening and membership in the Winchester Country Club. She was the devoted and loyal mother of Elise of Burlington, Adrienne of Chestnut Hill, Andrea of Winchester, and the dear sister of the late Ursula B. Keleher. She was also the loving aunt of Ursula M. Keleher, Ann Desormeau and Paul C. Keleher, Jr. Her Funeral will be held from the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester on Fri., May 23 at 9AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge St., Winchester at 10AM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Interment is private. Visiting hours will be held on Thurs. from 4-8PM. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037 or to the American Lung Association, 460 Totten Pond Rd. – Ste 400, Waltham, MA 02451.