Sharon O’Brien

Sharon passed peacefully on May 24, 2025. Sharon was born and raised in Lowell, MA, the eighth of fourteen children of Doris W. (née Hill) and John (Leo) McHale. Sharon moved with her husband, Jim O’Brien, from New England to Palo Alto in 1962, relocating to Los Altos to start their family. Sharon was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim, daughter Kathleen S. O’Brien, and siblings Paula, Maureen, Barbara, Sheila, John Jr. (Jackie), Patricia, Joanne, Kathy and Buzzy McHale. Sharon is survived by sons Kevin J, Daniel C, and siblings Janet, Marty, Donny and Nancy.

Sharon’s professional career included: hospital X-Ray technician (Lowell), stewardess with Northeast Airlines (Boston), grade school teacher, recruiter at Stanford Blood Center (Apheresis). Sharon also volunteered for many community-based organizations later in life.

Sharon was a natural in all sports, but her passion was playing tennis with friends at local swim and racquet clubs. An avid fan of MLB, Sharon’s teams were the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants. Sharon loved coaching AYSO women’s soccer teams in the ‘70s, despite never having played soccer. Sharon was a gifted piano player and singer, a talent inherited from her parents.

At Sharon’s core was her Catholic Faith. She was a respectful listener and very generous with her time. Anyone who interacted with Sharon socially came to know her kind, gentle and giving spirit. She possessed a wonderful dry sense of humor, fine-tuned with irony and whimsy; truly something to behold.

Sharon was a strong, beautiful woman, devoted wife and loving mother, a sister, aunt and friend. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

There will be a private committal service and burial. A Memorial Mass at St William Church, Los Altos will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to any animal shelter would be appreciated.