Obituary

Colleen Mary Theis O’Brien

Colleen Mary Theis O’Brien, beloved daughter, wife, mother and grandmother went to be with the lord on Thursday, Dec 26, 2024. Colleen was born in Carrington, North Dakota to Gilbert and Magdalena (Lena) Theis on September 28, 1937. Her beloved brother and strong advocate was Donald Theis.

Colleen left the farm to attend the city high school in Carrington. Upon graduation, Colleen moved to San Francisco to attend X-Ray Technician School. She worked as an x-Ray technician for 2 years and met her future husband, Barry Francis O’Brien, a pilot with the US AirForce. Colleen and Barry were married in Carrington. They moved numerous times with Barry’s assignments. Colleen’s son, Scott Francis O’Brien was born in Tucson, Arizona at Davis-Monthan and Christi Ann O’Brien Neill, Colleen’s daughter was born at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Barry passed away while in service in 1967. Colleen chose to raise her children and establish a career as a single woman in Scottsdale.

Colleen lived in Scottsdale for 56 years, where she loved to garden, was devout in her attendance to St. Maria Goretti, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Churches and The Casa Franciscan Renewal Center. She devoted many hours to tutoring the children through Christ the King Catholic Church and to the Auxiliary. She was especially devoted to her rescue dog, Molly. She is survived by her children, Scott Francis O’Brien, with his wife Jennifer and their three boys, Scott Francis Jr, Nicholas David and John (Jack) Withers O’Brien, and her daughter Christi O’Brien Neill, with her husband Frank (Scott) Kennedy Neill, and son Frank Kennedy IV, and Michael O’Brien Neill. She delighted and cherished each of her grandsons and enjoyed spending time with each of them. Colleen will be laid to her final rest in Carrington, North Dakota with her father, mother, brother, husband and child, John Francis.