Kathryn (nee Schweighardt) O’Brien, born November 15, 1919 in Passaic, NJ died at age 101 on February 13th surrounded by family.
She was predeceased by her parents, Mary and John; her husband, Charles O’Brien; brothers, John, Paul, Isadore; sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, nephew Paul, Jr.
Survived by her beloved niece, Cheryl Schweighardt; her nephew, John Schweighardt (Carmen), great nieces and nephews, Kim Langham (Jim), Katharine Stark (Mark), Matthew Schweighardt (Davia) and great-great nieces, Katie, Jackie and Josephine.
Her parents came to the United States through Ellis Island from Budapest, Hungary fleeing a dangerous time in Europe prior to World War I. She was born in Passaic and grew up in Clifton. She was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Church in Passaic. Her father was an engineer in the Gera Mills in Botany Village and her mother raised her and her five siblings. Kathryn and her siblings, John and Elizabeth, went on to form the family business, Schweighardt’s Florist in the Botany section of Clifton in 1935. She was one of the first FTD Master Designers and taught many of the florists that subsequently opened florists of their own. In 1952 she married her sweetheart, Charles “Obie” O’Brien who was a WWII bronze start recipient. Her niece, Cheryl, joined the florist in 1972 and they worked together until the business was sold in 2007. Kathryn was frequently seen around town driving the green florist van which had custom chrome letters saying “Schweighardt’s Florist”, which were designed and made by her father. She picked up flowers from the wholesalers every week and made deliveries every day until she was 80 years old.
The family would like to give their heartfelt thanks to her caregivers of many years: Daisy, Sonia and especially Reyna who provided the most loving and wonderful care, especially during her last days.
All services were held privately.
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