Lillian Theresa O’Brien

BIDDEFORD – Lillian Theresa (LaFontaine) O’Brien passed away peacefully with family by her side on June 5, 2025. She was born on Feb. 23, 1930 in Lisbon Falls. She was the youngest of nine children born to Albert LaFontaine and Lina (Baker) LaFontaine.

Lillian moved from Lisbon Falls to Lewiston at a young age. She was truly a lifelong learner. She attended St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s Elementary Schools. She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1948. She worked at the Bates Mill in the summer of 1948 before deciding to apply for college. She graduated in 1952 from Gorham State Teachers College with a degree in Education. She participated in many sports activities in high school and college. She taught for a short time at Notre Dame Parochial school in Staten Island before returning to Maine to support her mother. She earned her Master’s Degree from New Hampshire College in Community Economic Development in 1985 at the age of 55.

Lillian married Charles O’Brien in Colorado Springs, Colorado on October 11, 1952. They moved throughout the United States and to Germany while he was in the U.S. Army. They returned to Maine upon his retirement in 1967. 

Lillian always worked to try to educate and improve the lives of others. She was a teacher in Alabama and Georgia while her husband was stationed there. She began working as a social worker for the Department of Human Services in 1965. The family moved to Germany for a year and she returned to the Department in 1967. She was Manager for the Welfare Employment Program for many years and was proud to have helped so many people receive training and education to become financially independent. She was very involved with the Maine State Employees Association (MSEA) receiving an award for Outstanding Service in 1975.

Lillian was committed to community service. While in Germany, she was involved leading Girl Scout Troops on base and helping newly arrived families adjust to overseas living. Once back in Maine, she became involved with many community development programs. She was one the original founders of the Abused Women’s Advocacy Program (AWAP) and the Tenant’s Union. She was on the YWCA Board. One of her proudest moments came in 2003 when she received the Maryann Hartford Award for her wide ranging leadership in her community. In 2011 she was presented with an award for her Outstanding Service by the Androscoggin County Democratic Committee.

She was elected to the Lewiston School Committee in 1993. She was on the Lewiston Finance Committee, Lewiston Housing Committee, Lewiston City Council, USM Lewiston-Auburn Advisory Council and L/A Transit Committee. She received the Bonnie Lounsbury Environmental Award in 2006. She served on Empower Lewiston from 1999 to 2009. After retiring from the Department of Human Services, Lillian was elected Representative in the Maine Legislature from District 89 (Lewiston) in 1999. She was reelected multiple times and served until 2006.

Lillian is survived by her children: daughter Maureen O’Brien and her husband Brion Gallagher; daughter, Patricia O’Brien; and son, Lawrence O’Brien. Her grandchildren: Eamon Gallagher and his wife, Erika, and their daughter Ainsley; Kristin Cirbus and her wife, Holley Tyng, and their son, Ryan; Liam Gallagher, his son Lochlann, and his partner, Sandy Gilbreath; Matthew Mullen his wife, Emily, and their daughter, Sophie; Nicole O’Brien and her husband, Scott Nebel, and their son, Quinn; Jamie Cadavid and her husband, Daniel; Sam Mullen and his wife, Liz; and Rebekah and Ben Vallerand.

Lillian was predeceased by her parents and her siblings, Virginia Marcotte, Rose LaFontaine, Christine Sullivan, Rita Mitchell, Gerald LaFontaine, Reginald LaFontaine, Bernadine and Alfred LaFontaine. She was also predeceased by her husband, Charles O’Brien, and her daughters, Kathleen O’Brien, Jaye O’Brien, and Colleen Vallerand; and, her grandson, Sean Cirbus.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared with family and friends at http://www.albert-burpee.com

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of Albert & Burpee Funeral Home & Cremation Services 253 Pine St. Lewiston, 782-7201.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to either; Lillian O’Brien ‘52 Scholarship at the USM Foundation, P.O. Box 9300, Portland, Maine 04104-9300 or Safe Voices, P.O. Box 713, Auburn, Maine 04212.