Mary (Mom) O'Bryan Mary O'Bryan

Welcome to our family generated site that celebrates Mary (Mom)’s continuing journey!


We started this site not to be a somber site, but one of joy and memories and exciting things to share.  There will be updates on Mary (Mom's) health, but please know that she is a strong woman who will fight to the bitter end for this thing called life!  As her new socks say "Fuck Cancer!"  Mary (Mom) has touched so many lives, and endeavors to live life to the fullest.   Of course, at 70, there are a few more naps involved, but hey... She's earned them!  

Through the ups and downs in the past 70 years, Mary has faced each challenge with great faith and courage.  This past year Mary (Mom) was dealt a very rough hand with the discovery of cancer in two places.   Below is an excerpt from an email she sent on 12/31/17.

"I had a tumor in the back of my throat on the upper palate. It took another few weeks to identify the cells and by Thanksgiving week I was preparing for chemotherapy w/ radiation still in my future. Julie, Mark & Mysti were awesome! I had to be seen at Virginia Mason for tests and biopsies and they were w/ me all the way. I had a chemo port installed the week after Thanksgiving and Sister Kathleen flew in from Maui in time to go through my first chemo cycle and all of the other doctor appointments. I have a high grade neuroendocrine cancer (rare for the throat). Primary site is the throat w/ bilateral lymph node involvement and 2 small secondary sites on my liver. My chemo infusions are every 21 days for 3 days for a total of 3 treatments, then stop and re-assess. So far I am doing GREAT! Good drugs reduce the nausea big time plus I can now eat or drink all the high calorie, high fat food I want. (I do love the old fashioned egg nog!!!) It has been wonderful having Kathleen here w/ me... some very awesome sister time!"


Thank you to everyone who has reached out, said a prayer, a kind word or thought.  It is a beautiful thing to see how many people love Mom, and how many lives she has touched, and STILL does.  Although Mary (Mom) doesn't respond as much as she used to, please know that each and every one of you are in her thoughts and prayers every day.  

We will post journal updates as we learn more.  

We would love to hear from you here, as each of you have your own special memories of fun, crazy, loving, inspiring times with Mary (Mom.)  Pictures would be awesome as well!  While visiting Mom for her birthday, a dear friend had sent Mom some old photos that we so enjoyed.  Please, we encourage you to share your memories here.  :) 

We thank you all for being a part of Mary (Mom's) life. Please keep the thoughts, prayers, pictures, and stories coming!  We all love a good laugh (flashback to Mom's 80's hair) and a heartwarming story!