Patricia ‘Patsy’ O’Brien, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to so many

OLEAN — Patricia “Patsy” O’Brien passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Roswell, surrounded by her loving family, after a 3-year battle with cancer.

Patsy was born in Olean on December 5, 1953, the daughter of Raymond and Ann Marie Sczudlo. On October 9, 1976, in St. Bonaventure Church, she married her loving husband, James L. O’Brien, who survives.

She was a 1972 graduate of Allegany High School. Patsy worked for the Science Dept of Saint Bonaventure University as an Administrative Coordinator from 1986 to 2020. As a skier for thirty-plus years, she became a ski instructor at Wing Hollow. During the warmer months, she loved gardening. Patsy also loved spending time with her grandchildren and friends. She enjoyed evening walks through the town, and she and James loved to go on cruises.

Patsy is survived by her loving husband, James; her children, Catherine E. (John) Buzzard of Allegany, Kevin J. (Katie) O’Brien of Charlestown, WV, and Maureen A. (Paul) Brightwell of Lake Frederick, VA; her grandchildren, Owen Buzzard, Henry Buzzard, Ava O’Brien, Mannix O’Brien, and Zachary Brightwell; and her great-grandchildren, Xayla Brightwell, and Tommy Brightwell; her siblings, Raymond Sczudlo, Linda Stadler, James Sczudlo, Barbara Van Arnam, Joanie Tamer, and Judy Francesconi, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Ann Marie Sczudlo, and a niece, Martha Francesconi.

Family will receive friends Friday, January 30, 2025, from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m., at Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 East State Street, Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday at 10 am, January 31, 2025. at St. Bonaventure Church, 95 E Main St., Allegany. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations be made to support Roswell Park’s Myeloma Fund https://www.roswellpark.org/ or by mail to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, PO Box 631, Buffalo, NY, 14240, or Allegany Rescue and EMS Inc., PO Box 217, Allegany, NY 14706

Online condolences may be expressed at www.guentherfh.com