Christine M. O'Brien

Christine M. (Ryan) O’Brien, 57, passed away unexpectedly after a car accident on September 5, 2024 at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was born March 27, 1967, at Griffiths Air Force Base in Rome, New York to Alfred and Margaret Ryan while Al was serving. She loved her parents dearly and appreciated all they instilled in her. Soon after, her brother, Richard, was born. Christine loved Rich and spoke of him with so much pride. After a brief and adventurous time in Oklahoma, the family moved back home. They settled in the town of Liverpool, New York where Christine grew up and made many lifelong friends. Chris was involved in swimming, crew, and general mischief on Dewline Road, but art was her true passion. Christine graduated from Liverpool High School and then Syracuse University’s School of Fine Arts. She worked as a photographer and graphic designer and carried these two loves for the rest of her life. 

While at Syracuse University, Rich reluctantly introduced Christine to the love of her life William (Billy) O'Brien. Christine and Bill married in 1992 at Hendricks Chapel on the campus of Syracuse University. Almost immediately after, Christine and Bill moved to Idar-Oberstein, Germany where Bill was stationed with the Army. They traveled throughout Europe for three years. This was the beginning of Christine’s wanderlust and her joy of meeting new people. After a brief year at Fort Carson, Colorado where Christine worked as a graphic designer for a magazine, they moved to Hoboken, New Jersey. Christine again put her artistic gift to work as a graphic designer. 

Bill and Christine chose Westfield, New Jersey to raise a family. The first of Christine’s two most cherished gifts, her daughter Mackenzie was born. Several years later Christine’s equally loved daughter Regan arrived. Christine put her career on hold and focused on her daughters and family. Her love for Mackenzie and Regan was immeasurable and her bond with them unmatched. Chris set out and succeeded in raising two strong, independent, and compassionate women just like her.

Christine and family moved to Bedford, New Hampshire in 2007 where Christine was able to raise and guide her family sharing her love of the outdoors and travel and sharing her appreciation for nature and all animals. Chris loved the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. She spent many happy summers days paddle boarding and boating, and winters snuggled up next to a fireplace with her family. In more recent years, Christine was able to incorporate art with connectivity, remaining true to herself as an independent artist.

Christine’s mark has been left on many more than just her family. Christine was a true empath and felt deeply those around her. Her nurturing nature led her to connect with anyone she came across. Her humor and storytelling capabilities were unmatched. She had a deep calling to help those around her with a smile on her face and a crass joke to lighten the mood. Her understanding of the universe and life's true purpose was lightyears beyond what many of us can fathom.

She is predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Rosemary (Grammie) & Francis (Grampie) Lloyd, and her paternal grandparents Alfred Ryan & Gretta DelVecchio.

Besides her husband, Bill, she leaves behind her cherished daughters, Mackenzie O'Brien (25) Miami, Florida and Regan O'Brien (19) University of Pennsylvania and her doting cats, Snickers and Parker. Her parents Alfred Ryan & Margaret Ryan. Baldwinsville, New York and her brother and best friend Richard Ryan Bluffton, South Carolina. 

Aunt Judy & Uncle Rick Jablonka, Louden, Tennessee, Aunt Kathy Lewis, Buffalo, New York, Uncle Steve Lloyd, Arcata, California. Her nephew, Beau Ryan. Her godson, Dr. Eric Jablonka, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Many special cousins and second cousins.

Her in-laws, William and Madeline O'Brien, brother in laws Tom O’Brien and his wife Julie, Tim O’Brien and his wife Kerry, and Stephen Fountain and his wife Kara. Her nieces Megan Fountain, Lily Jane O’Brien, Piper Ahern, and nephews Mathew, Joseph, Daniel and William O’Brien. Her lifelong friends, high school buddies and countless strangers who were blessed to become part of her universe.

Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday, September 11th from 5PM-8PM at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10AM on Thursday, September 12th at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 190 Meetinghouse Rd, Bedford, NH. Christine will be laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery on Meredith Center Road in Meredith, NH.

In lieu of flowers, Christine’s family requests donation to

Goodwill Northern New England 

goodwillnne.org/make-a-gift/ 

The Salvation Army 

https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/northern-new-england/laconia/family-store/