It is hard to put into words the great loss of Grace M. O'Brien, who died Friday, March 28, 2008 the day before her 91st birthday. A graduate of Upper Darby High school, Grace went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania in 1939 with a degree in Fine Arts. At Penn, Grace was elected president of her class, was one of only a few women to play on the polo team, and was an active member in Delta Delta Delta sorority.

Grace is perhaps best known for her passion and talent for music and gardening. By the time she was eleven, Grace was a concert pianist and gave numerous recitals throughout the Main Line and Philadelphia. In order to pay for sorority dues at Penn, she worked for the Philadelphia Dairy Council giving puppet show performances to schools. Giving her a portable theater and a station wagon, the Council enlisted Grace's penchant for creativity and teaching, but never anticipated that she would become a local icon and be invited to perform at the National Convention.

Grace's lifelong musical talent also followed her to New Jersey, where she played special functions at the Golden Inn. In recent years, Grace played the piano at the Radnor Hunt Club in Malvern, Pa, where diners would gather round her baby grand to listen to her play.

In addition to her music, Grace was an exceptional and renowned gardener. Studying under Laura Barnes of the Barnes foundation, Grace obtained a degree in horticultural sciences. Her home on Monk Road in Gladwyne was one of the few homes showcased in the annual garden tour, and her flower arrangements-using flowers grown from seed-won several times at the Philadelphia Flower Show. However, Grace preferred "getting her hands dirty" rather than flower arranging. A resident of Avalon, N.J for nearly 50 years, Grace was an avid member of the Avalon Garden Club, and was single-handedly responsible for landscaping such locations as the post office, the police station, the 21st street island, the Dune Drive and Ocean Drive islands, and many private homes. Perhaps her biggest claim to fame is the 8th street park, named in her honor as the Grace M. O'Brien Park.

She was the beloved wife of Alan J. Spilner. Devoted mother of Rory M. O'Brien and the late William C. O'Brien. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Saturday April 5, 11:00 AM at Willistown Friends Meeting House, 7069 Goshen Rd., Newtown Square, PA. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The School in Rose Valley, 20 School Lane, Rose Valley, PA 19063.