Mary Ann Louise O'Brien, age 86, passed away at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison on Tuesday, July 14, 2015. She was born in Kentucky on Dec. 5, 1928 to the late Arthur and Frances (Greenslade) Watkins. The family moved to Massillon, Ohio where Mary Ann graduated from Massillon High School, class of 1946. She received her Bachelors of Nursing Certificate from Ohio State University while working at John Hopkin's Hospital in Baltimore, MD until she was commissioned to the United States Navy in 1952 as Lieutenant Junior Grade. While in the Navy, she met the love of her life at St. Alban's Naval Hospital in Long Island, N.Y. Who knew that M&M's were a cure all and a love potion? Mary Ann and William N. O'Brien; they were united in marriage on July 24, 1953.

Mary Ann and Bill moved all over the US while Bill finished his service with the Navy. This allowed her to work at multiple VA Hospitals in a variety of fields. In 1968, they settled in Sauk City where she started her career at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital as a Surgical Nurse. She was the 2nd Nurse to hold the position of Director of Nursing, and eventually was promoted to Administrator of Nursing Care until she retired in 1994. While working at the hospital, Mary Ann was very instrumental in both the remodeling projects at the hospital. Mary Ann touched many lives and helped celebrate joyous births, eased the pain of the hurt and brought dignity to the dying. Mary Ann enjoyed the family like atmosphere at the hospital and formed lasting bonds with many of the employees. With her caring nature and gentle soul, she will be missed by many.

In 1999, she was very instrumental in the inception and the running of the Sauk Prairie Good Neighbor Clinic with Dr. Haakon Carlson; where she served on the Board of Directors and as intake nurse until this last March. She was a past member of the Sauk Prairie Hospital Board and of the Wisconsin Organization of Nursing Executives. She was selected as Nursing Executive of the year in 1993. She was a member of the Kuoni-Reuter American Legion Post of Sauk Prairie, and a lifetime member of the Sauk Prairie Hospital Foundation.
Mary Ann enjoyed sewing (which meant the kids were taken to fabric stores), traveling all over the world, gardening and cooking. She especially enjoyed trips to Australia where she could hold Koala Bears and pet the Joeys. More recently, in her free time, she enjoyed creating stained glass which she would sell at various Art Fairs throughout Wisconsin.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband of 62 years, William; 4 sons, Michael (Vicki Ahrens) O'Brien, Kevin O'Brien, Timothy (Debbie) O'Brien, John (Linda) O'Brien; 2 daughters, Kathryn O'Brien-Hoege and Ann (Brian) McGill; 6 grandchildren, Jamie (Josh) Nichols, Amy (Jed Guzzetta) O'Brien, Megan O'Brien, Dawn (Chris) Waggoner, Jeff (Jennifer) Pratt, Ben (Kelly) Pratt; 11 great grandchildren, Haiden Ruch, Mallory Guzzetta, Aidan and Emmaline Nichols, Chloe and Gage Waggoner, Colton and Lily Pratt, Devon, Austin and Marissa Pratt; 4 siblings, Ruth Cleaver, Arthur (Sue) Watkins, Blanche (John) Schuette, Roger (Chante) Watkins; she is further survived by other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brother in-law, Robert "Hairball" Solinger; a son in-law, Ron Hoege; and dear friend, Rosie Ederer.

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 17, 2015 from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, 251 Water St., Sauk City where Military Honors will be accorded at 2:00 pm by the Lachmund-Cramer VFW Post 7694. A celebration of Mary Ann's life will follow at Marion Park, Prairie du Sac.

Memorials may be given in her name to the Sauk Prairie Good Neighbor Clinic or the Wounded Warrior Project.