Obituary of Margaret E. O'Brien

CHAMPION- Margaret Emelia Henry (Bickom) O'Brien, 102, died on Friday March 13, 2015 at the Country Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, where she has resided for the last ten years. She was born on June 13, 1912 at her home in Champion to William F. & Millie E Bull Henry. She married David Bickom in April of 1933 and the couple divorced in 1949. She later married Eddie O'Brien in January of 1957 until his death in 1993. She is survived by her children; William (Marlyn) Bickom, Lafargeville; David Bickom, West Monroe; and John Henry (Muriel) Bickom, Brewerton. She leaves behind 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren. She lived her entire life on the family farm in Champion until poor health forced her to live with her son in Dexter. She resided there for a few years before becoming a resident of Country Manor. She is predeceased by her parents, a daughter, Mary Eloise Fuller, and sons, Eli Bickom, and Ray O'Brien and a grandson, Mark Medina whom she raised. She was a member of the Champion Second Methodist Church, the Champion Fire Department Auxiliary and the Champion Grange. She sold Avon for many years as well as Stanley Home Products and Watkins. She also worked as a home health aide for several years. She loved feeding birds and tending to her flower gardens. Visitors to her home would be treated to a tour of introduction of each of her household plants that she tenderly raised, as well as her flower gardens. She loved playing all kinds of games and cards with her family. Her favorite game was dominos. She would play with family for hours and still beat everyone at the age of 102. She loved to read, especially western novels and stories about animals. She read "a book a day" while a resident of the nursing home until her death. She also loved doing word searches that she'd complete with her left hand after a stroke 12 years ago left her right hand useless. At the age of 90 she learned how to use a computer and would email and play solitaire until the wee hours of the morning. She loved receiving flowers, candy and cards. She celebrated her 100th birthday with a big party of family and friends. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service Inc., Located at 500 State Street in Carthage from 12:00pm-1:00pm. A funeral service will follow in the Chapel with the Reverend Linda J. Harris, officiating. Burial will be held in the spring in the Hillside Cemetery in West Carthage. Online Condolences can be made to www.lundyfuneral.com Donations can be made to the Champion Methodist Church or the Champion Fire Department.