Charlotte Scott Wootten O’Brien

November 7, 1940 – June 28, 2020 

Beloved wife of Haskell Wilkes O’Brien, Jr. (St Charles, Missouri), cherished mother of Laura and Nikolaos Gatzionis, Lynn and Ben Wilson, Kate and Joe Bruni and Will and Jacquelyn O’Brien, dear sister of Carol Bernard and Scott Wootten, adored grandmother of Sophia, Natalia and Harry Gatzionis, Lena, Alan, Ben and Kate Wilson, Olivia, Ellie, Ava, Sylvia and Emilia Bruni and Archer and Killian O’Brien, esteemed aunt, and valued friend to Margaret Cook and to many who appreciated her dignity and integrity.

It is a daunting task to celebrate the life of an inspiration, yet that is what we try to do today. Independent, quiet, self-assured, kind, an academic, deep thinker, slow to anger, quick to help. The foundation of her family, a devoted daughter, a loving sister, a true partner to her husband, an inspirational mother, a faithful and affectionate friend, and pillar of her church, Charlotte Scott Wootten O’Brien will be dearly missed.

Developing a love of the written word in her four children and then her fourteen grandchildren, through teaching in schools and colleges, volunteer work in the local community and membership in her book groups, Charlotte taught us all of the depth of experiences available at our fingertips, broadening and balancing our minds. In our family, she created love and equilibrium through her fair and embracing, even-handed and unstinting love. Charlotte’s approach to raising a devoted family and her unlimited love and acceptance definitively shaped current and future generations. A true lady in every sense of the word, her departure leaves us bereft.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Association, the St. Charles Public Library or

The O’Brien Memorial Music Scholarship

In honoring Dr. Charlotte O’Brien’s lifelong love of music and the ministry of her Presbyterian faith, a scholarship will bear the name of the O’Briens to encourage college students to contribute musical (or ministry) talents to the edification of Saint Charles Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian faith in the expression of the local congregation.  (The scholarship will be endowed sufficiently to allow awards from the proceeds rather than the principal.) 

Donations may be made to Saint Charles Presbyterian Church, 131 Gamble Street, Saint Charles, MO  63301.  Please put Charlotte’s name on the memo line.  If you prefer to give online, the church website donation link is https://onrealm.org/StCharlesPresby/-/give/now   Select Memorial Fund and then send an email to the accountant mailto:howard@scpcusa.org and indicate that the memorial is for Charlotte’s fund. 

May we long remember her in the music of our hearts and may she be celebrated in the life of the church.