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

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

Patsy was born in Olean on Dec. 5, 1953, the daughter of Raymond and Ann Marie Sczudlo. On Oct. 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 department of Saint Bonaventure University as an administrative coordinator from 1986 to 2020. As a skier for 30-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, W.V. and Maureen A. (Paul) Brightwell of Lake Frederick, Va.; her grandchildren, Owen Buzzard, Henry Buzzard, Ava O’Brien, Mannix O’Brien and Zachary Brightwell; 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 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday (Jan. 30, 2025) at Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 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, P.O. Box 631, Buffalo, NY, 14240; or Allegany Rescue and EMS Inc., P.O. Box 217, Allegany, NY 14706.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.