Carol O’Brien, who served at the Archdiocese of Portland for 20 years, died November 14th. She was 87.

Miss O’Brien was born September 13, 1926, in Victoria, B.C. to Martin Daniel O’Brien and Agnes Louise Ross O’Brien. She lived in Seattle much of her life, graduated from Seattle University, and moved to Portland in 1975. She attended Holy Names Academy in Seattle, and graduated from Seattle University in 1948. She worked as a secretary in the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Seattle for 30 years, and then as an executive secretary and executive assistant for Archbishop Cornelius Power and then Cardinal William Levada at the pastoral center of the Archdiocese of Portland for 20 years. She retired in 1994.

After retirement, Miss O’Brien traveled a number of times with her close friend Mary F. Ryan, who was an employee at the pastoral center from 1978-’96. They explored places like Europe, Canada and Alaska. “She was always interested in expanding her knowledge and she was always a lot of fun to be with,” Ryan said.

O’Brien was a member of Sacred Heart Parish Choir in Seattle for 33 years; a member of the Narberth Committee of the Knights of Columbus for 24 years; served in the CCD Preschool Religious Program at St. Catherine’s Parish in Seattle for seven years; was a member of the Seattle Chorus of Sweet Adelines for 15 years; and was affiliated with the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women of Portland for 26 years.

Father Paul Peri presided at a funeral Mass at Maryville Nursing Home Chapel in Beaverton, concelebrated by Fathers Patrick Donoghue and Edmond Bliven.