Merna Rosemary O'Brien

Mrs. Merna Rosemary Kanady O'Brien, age 91 of Anna, surrounded by her loving family, passed from this life to her Heavenly home at 12:50 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2011 in the Carrier Mills Nursing & Rehabilitation Center following a lengthy illness. She was born in Gallatin County's Goldhill Township on April 19, 1919, the daughter of Jacob and Franka Wooden Kanady. She married James K. O'Brien, formerly of Carbondale on November 20, 1941.Merna is survived by two daughters, Rebecca Kay (Jerold) Williams of Harrisburg and Peggy Leigh (Austin) Dent of Cobden; four grandchildren, James Scott (Michelle) Williams of Boca Raton, FL., Stacy Leigh (Joe) Thompson of Harrisburg, Laura Lee (Brian) Clark of Cobden, Jacob Matthew Dent of Anna; ten great-grandchildren, Chase and Samantha Williams, Caleb, Kate, Cooper and Skyes Thompson, Hailee and Braden Clark, Emma and Joseph Dent; many former coworkers, students, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents, George and Martha Kanady and A.E. and Ella Wooden; and her husband James.Merna grew up and attended school in the Junction and Shawneetown area. She came to Christ and was baptized in the Ohio River on May 21, 1933 at the age of 13.She and her family moved to Anna after she graduated from high school. She became a member of the Anna First Baptist Church and remained so, except for a period of time when she was with her husband in California during the WWII, for the remainder of her life. She loved her Church and her Church family, and they were an important and integral part of her life. She brought her children up in a Christian home and has been a true example of a Christian to them all of their lives. Merna attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where she was a member of the Alpha Nu Chapter of Sigma, Sigma, Sigma sorority. She received her Bachelor's Degree in 1940 and her Master's Degree in 1970 in Business Education. She taught for over forty years in a number of different schools including Dongola High School. She spent the greatest part of her career teaching at Cobden High School where she taught typing, shorthand, accounting and business education. Merna was the Coop director and the sponsor of the yearbook and press club for over 20 years. She received numerous awards and accolades during her teaching career, but the success of her students was her greatest reward and satisfaction. She was a special teacher who truly loved her students, preparing and mentoring them for college or career. She had the gift for seeing the best in each of her students, often giving trust and responsibilities to those who needed her attention the most. She is credited with turning many of their lives around. Teaching was not a job to her; it was her calling in life. She loved to read and served on the Stinson Library Board and volunteered at her Church library for many years. Her real passion in life was her family; she truly was the family matriarch. She never missed a ballgame or event of any of her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren as long as her health permitted. Holidays and birthdays were joyous special occasions to be shared by the entire family. Her boundless love, wise advice, compassion and generosity were lavished by every member of the family. She kept the faith, she fought the good fight, and she soldiered on to the end. Rejoice that now she is in peace and rest with her dear Savior and those loved ones who passed on before. Funeral services for Mrs. Merna Rosemary Kanady O'Brien will be at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2011 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with Pastor Joe Thompson, Pastor Caleb Thompson, and Rev. Allen Speer officiating. Interment will be in the Anna Cemetery. Friends may call after 11:00 a.m. and until the funeral hour Sunday, March 13, 2011 at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna.