Florence “Sis” (Kennedy) O’Brien Cairns
SOUTH PORTLAND – Florence “Sis” (Kennedy) O’Brien Cairns, 100, passed away on April 9, 2025, in South Portland.
Sis was born on Aug. 15, 1924, in Portland, the daughter of the late Daniel and Nellie (Wilson) Kennedy. Sis graduated from South Portland High School with the class of 1941. Her first job after graduating was as a switchboard operator at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary. She then worked for a short time as a receptionist from Dr. Philip Thomson Sr. The rest of her career was with Casco Bank and Trust, retiring in 1981. Sis would continue to work part time at the Filene’s Department Store for many years.
She married Richard F. O’Brien Jr. in 1944 and had five sons with him. Sis became known to many as a doting mother, Grammie, Great-Grammie, and will be greatly missed by all.
Sis was predeceased by her second husband, Gordon Cairns; son, Joseph O’Brien; brother, Daniel Kennedy.
She is survived by her sons Richard III and his wife Norma O’Brien, Ronald O’Brien and his partner, Theresa Sampietro, Daniel and his wife Judy O’Brien, Timothy and his wife Paula O’Brien; stepchildren, Stephen and his wife Nancy Cairns, and Debra Lamb; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren, and many beloved extended family members.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Compasses Hospice and the care team at the Pinnacle of South Portland, especially the team with the 300 Unit.
Visiting hours will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 25, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Maximilian Kolbe, 150 Black Point Rd., Scarborough.
To view Sis’ Memorial Page or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
In lieu of flowers, donations to
Wayside Food Programs
P.O. Box 1278
Portland, ME 04104
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