Barbara A. O'Brien

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Barbara was a family-oriented person and always put her family first.

Barbara A. (Kurtyka) O’Brien, 78, of Worcester, a retired Assistant Clerk Magistrate, passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at UMass Hospital in Worcester.

Barbara is survived by her loving children, Alex O’Brien of Rutland, and Stacey Happy and her husband Derek of West Boylston; two step children, Christine Army and her husband Jim of Paxton, Michael O’Brien and his wife Stephanie of Worcester; five grandchildren, Chloe, Charlotte, Chelsea, Michael, and Ophelia; her former husband and best friend, Edward T. O’Brien, Jr.; a brother Michael Kurtyka of Limestone, ME; two sisters, Deborah Tierney of New Port Richie, FL, and Gladys Hill of Douglas; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three sisters, Mary Jo Hutchings, Susan Richards, and Linda Scannell. Barbara was born in Worcester, daughter of the late, Paul and Chloe (Landry) Kurtyka.

Barbara began her career as a candy striper at a local hospital, before beginning her fifty-two year career at the Worcester District Court, where she worked her way up to being an Assistant Clerk Magistrate, retiring in 2019.

Barbara was a family-oriented person and always put her family first. She enjoyed summering on Cape Cod, traveling to Disney, and bringing her own karaoke machine to parties, where she was always the center of a good time. She enjoyed shopping and visiting her “friends” — all the salespeople at the stores she loved at the Natick Mall.

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She was always the center of a good time.

Calling Hours will be on Monday, September 21, from 4 pm to 7 pm in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Her Funeral Service will be in the Funeral Home at 10 am the following day, Tuesday, September 22. Entombment will follow at Saint John’s Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Stroke Association, by visiting www.stroke.org.