Marilyn Ann O'Byrne

On the morning of Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Marilyn A. OByrne passed away at McCook Community Hospital. She was 74 years old. Marilyn Ann was born August 13, 1947 in Stratton, NE as the oldest child of Joseph G. and Doris M. (Wilhelms) Hubl of rural Trenton. She grew up on the family farm in Hitchcock County being joined by siblings Linda, Roger, and Judy. She was educated through the eighth grade in a one room schoolhouse at Rural District No. 16. She then attended and graduated from Stratton Public High School in 1965. After high school, Marilyn went to Hastings Beauty Academy and received her cosmetology license in 1966. There she met lifelong friends Andrea and Ron Heinrich now of Omaha. On April 1, 1967 she married Mack E. McConnell of Trenton. To this union, they welcomed daughters Melissa Kay in 1968 and Melanie Lynn in 1973. Mack died on March 5, 1977 leaving Marilyn to use her many entrepreneurial skills to care for her young family. On February 9, 1980, Marilyn married John W. OByrne of rural Trenton. At that point, she took up her role as a full-time farm wife. Two years later, their daughter Megan Sue was born. In 1986 they moved to the OByrne family homestead taking over the farming/ranching production when Chris OByrne retired at the age of 82. In 1987, son Hugh Brady was born, completing their family. On the farm, Marilyn diligently gardened and canned to feed the family throughout the year. Major events included annual corn harvest day when everyone helped pick, shuck, clean, cook, cut, and freeze corn as well as the semi-annual chicken harvest when farm-raised chicks found their way into the freezer for the winter. A woman who hated shopping, Marilyn could never pass a thrift store or garage sale without stopping. There was always a deal waiting to be had, and her thrifty heart delighted. In the late 90s Marilyn began working at North Shore Marina. She worked first for Randy and Darlene Hileman and then for Mary and Terry Ginn when they bought the business. Marilyn took their son Gavin Ginn under her wing, making him another one of her grandkids. She made sure, like her other children, that he received proper Catholic training, did his homework, and pitched in to help at the caf. She also became a staple in the community, keeping up with the happenings of local friends as well as making long lasting contacts with hunters, boaters, and vacationers as they came through on annual trips. She left North Shore when her husband John got sick in the summer of 2012. Marilyn constantly fought the losing battle of keeping her house clean despite the relentless Nebraska wind planting dust in every corner, a house full of cowboys, grandkids, and the occasional grandcat. She did more dishes, more loads of laundry, patched more jeans, ironed more shirts, pulled more weeds, cleaned more light fixtures, and dusted more knick-knacks than any three women in her lifetime. Those were all tasks that she did because they should be done, and because doing them right was a clear sign, not just of her industry, but of her love for her family. After Johns death on December 6, 2012, she became a quilt enthusiast. Square corners and perfect seam allowances gave her another way to demonstrate the correct order of things, as she crafted dozens of beautiful quilts. Some as gifts in the community and others that her family will cherish. Marilyn was a lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church in Trenton, NE and served on the Altar Society for many years. Marilyn is survived by her children, Melissa (James) Dailey of Stratton, NE, Melanie (Leon) Schnabel of Brule, NE, Dr. Megan OByrne of Macungie, PA, and Hugh (Emily) OByrne of Trenton; grandchildren, Kyle Dailey of Stratton, NE, Logan (Jenna) Dailey of Stotts City, MO, Kristopher Schnabel and girlfriend, Christy Bacon of Ogallala, NE, and Jana, Elsie, and Bridget OByrne of Trenton, NE; great-granddaughter, Lettie James Dailey of Stotts City, MO; brother, Roger (Janet) Hubl; sister, Judy (Ed) Todd, all of Trenton; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Marilyn was preceded by her parents, her first husband, Mack McConnell; second husband, John OByrne; sister, Linda Currie; brothers-in-law, Al Currie, Jim OByrne; infant daughter, Peggy Lou OByrne, and grandson, Zackery Schnabel. Marilyn was opposed to the ritual of funeral flowers. Please, in lieu of flowers, plant something beautiful in your own yard, send donations to St. James Catholic Church in Trenton, or to the family for a memorial donation to be decided in future. Marilyns wishes were to be cremated. Rosary recitation will be held at St. James Catholic Church in Trenton on Sunday, May 15 at 7pm. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 16 at 10am at St. James Catholic Church in Trenton with inurnment to follow at the Trenton Cemetery. Friends may leave on-line condolences at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements. Rosary St. James Catholic Church Sunday, May 15, 2022 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM 117 West B Street Trenton, Nebraska 69044 Mass of Christian Burial St. James Catholic Church Monday, May 16, 2022 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 117 West B Street Trenton, Nebraska 69044