Helen Loretta O’Brien of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Sylvania, Ohio, age 99, went to be with the Lord, Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born February 7, 1927, in London, Kentucky, the daughter of Robert Oliver and Fanny Ellen (Bunch) McCowan.
Helen attended Lynn Camp High School in Corbin, Kentucky. She was a long-time member of Hope Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio, was on a bowling league, and worked 40 years as a CNA at Lake Park Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio. She liked to quilt and garden and shop at the Dollar Tree. Helen had a heart for Jesus, was faithful in prayer and in reading scripture, and loved sharing stories from the Bible with her grandchildren and anyone who would listen. Most recently, she was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Chelsea.
Helen married Donald O’Brien on August 27, 1979. He preceded her in death in 1982. She is survived by her daughter, Frances (Richard) Barton of Chelsea; son-in-law, Jerry Peles of Dundee; grandchildren, Chesttina Bomia, Carrie (George) Mosurak, Chanel Proffitt, Conrad Peles, Shelly (Lance) Ottoman, Dreamala (Tony) Hicks, Autumn Koch; more than 20 great-grandchildren; and more than 40 great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Donald, she was preceded in death by her daughters, Wanda Peles and Shirley Farris; as well as her grandson, Perry Wayne Farris.
A memorial service will be held Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Chelsea, with Pastor Adam Summers officiating. The family will receive friends Friday before the service from 10 – 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Baptist Church.
