Mary Jane O’Connor Bresnahan

Mary Jane O’Connor Bresnahan was born on June 24, 1934 in Grafton, North Dakota. Jane and her twin brother Dick were the ninth and tenth of twelve children born to Archie and Margaret O’Connor. Jane grew up on a large farm in the town of St. Thomas, North Dakota, and attended the Sisters of Saint Joseph Nursing School where she graduated with her RN degree in 1955. Jane married George Bresnahan, an accountant, from Casselton, North Dakota and raised seven children. In 1968, Jane and George moved to San Diego. Jane worked as a nursing supervisor for Coronado Hospital, and ended her 23 year career there as the director of nurses. Upon retirement in 1991, Jane entered the Peace Corps and served as a rural nurse in Paraguay. When she returned to the US in 1994, Jane volunteered weekly as a nurse for St. Vincent de Paul’s health clinic in downtown San Diego until 2008 when she was no longer able to help.

In addition to her talents as a nurse, Jane was known for her skills in both cake decorating and floral arrangements. She was also known as a great cook and baker, and enjoyed welcoming friends and family into her home to share meals together. But most importantly, Jane was known for her character–the qualities of sincerity and honesty–and her faith, which were her cornerstones. As a mother, her loyalty was unmatched.

Jane died on August 25, 2009. Services have already been held. She is survived by her seven children and eight grandchildren.

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