Noreen E. “Renie” (Ryan) O’Brien, 45, of Malden, formerly of Melrose, passed away on March 19th, 2011 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born on March 27th, 1965 in Stoneham, Massachusetts to her parents John J. Ryan Jr. and Honora “Nonie” (Enwright) Ryan. Renie was raised in Malden, is a 1983 graduate of Malden High School and attended Merrimack College. In 1987, she married her husband Bernard M. “Bernie” O’Brien. In 1992 they settled in Melrose to raise their family and remained residents for 18 years. Noreen was employed by the Agfa Corporation in Wilmington for over 26 years. She held various positions at the company throughout her career. Most recently she was the Business Operations Manager for Agfa Graphics Global Services. She was active in the PTO at Lincoln Elementary School in Melrose during her children’s elementary school years, serving as president from 1998-2000. Renie was awarded the YWCA of Bergen County, New Jersey Tribute to Women in Industry Award in 2008 for her business achievements and demonstration of strength and dignity while fighting breast cancer. She was a devoted Red Sox fan and enjoyed attending and watching the games with her family.
She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Bernard M. O’Brien of Malden; by her parents; John J. Ryan Jr. and Honora A. “Nonie” (Enwright) Ryan of Malden; by her children; Caitlin E. O’Brien and Sean P. O’Brien of Malden; and by her brothers; John D. “Jackie” Ryan and his fiancé Charlene Spencer of Tewksbury and Retired Medford Fireman Robert E. Ryan and his wife Sharon of Malden. She was also survived by her mother-in-law Rita A. O’Brien of South Boston as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins and eight grandnieces and grandnephews. Noreen was predeceased by her father-in-law Bernard G. O’Brien.
Relatives & friends are invited to attend her funeral from the Breslin Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant St., Malden on Saturday March 26th at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, 9 Herbert St., Melrose at 10 AM. Services will conclude with interment in Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Friday March 25th from 4-8 PM. At Noreen’s request, please send flower arrangements that are pink and white in color only or make a donation to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226, Attn: Contribution Services.