Carol (Armstrong) O'Brien

Virginia Carol Armstrong O’Brien

Born: October 16, 1933, Mt. Sterling, IL

Died: Thursday, March 17th, 2022

Carol was born on October 16th, 1933, to William Dwight and Helen Reginia (Cronin) Armstrong in Mt. Sterling, IL. She was the eighth of nine children, eight girls and one boy, seven of which have preceded her in death. On her family farm, she was assigned “outside worker” which included milking the cows, chasing the chickens, and feeding the pigs, but of course she helped inside as well.  After graduating from St. Mary's Academy, she moved on to work at Illinois Bell Telephone Company in Springfield and married Jim O’Brien on May13th, 1961. Carol was a warmhearted homemaker who greatly enjoyed making delicious cookies and enjoyed sharing them even more. She was rightfully crowned as “Cookie Carol”. She assisted her late husband, Jim in many activities with Boy Scout Troop 270, served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, a Religious Ed. Teacher at St. Anthony’s, and volunteered with Heartland Blood Center for many years.

Carol is preceded in death by; her parents and siblings; Marscine Bice, Joanne Treston, Agnes Swartz, Pat Gages, Phyllis Eychaner, Harriet Hinz, Robert Vincent Armstong; her husband Jim O’Brien and son Ken Armstrong O’Brien; and several adored in-laws, nieces, and nephews. 

Carol is survived by her sister; Rita Cearlock (of Springfield), children; Larry O’Brien (of Tinley Park), and Karen Campolattara (of Plainfield), her grandchildren; Matt Campolattara (of Hampton, Virginia), Abigail O’Brien (of Tinley Park), Kaitlyn O’Brien (of St. Petersburg, Florida), and Katelyn Campolattara of (Plainfield, Illinois); as well as many extended family members and loved ones.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 20th at Maher Funeral Home 17101 W 71st Ave in Tinley Park Illinois from 3:30-8pm. Funeral mass will be the following Monday morning, March 21st, at 10 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with lunch to follow.

Donations can be made to: CF Roundtable and Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care

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