Nancy Brooks O'Brien

Nancy Brooks O’Brien, age 86, of Blacksburg, Virginia, passed away Tuesday, April 8 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Roanoke, Virginia, on January 15, 1939, to the late Irvin Holland and Rosa Hicks Brooks. She is preceded in death by her husband Walter Fenton O’Brien, Jr., with whom she shared 60 years of marriage. She is survived by her daughters Julie Miller (George) and Kelly O’Brien, granddaughters Rebecca Klein (Ryan) and Rachel Wilkes (Steven), and great-grandchildren Ari Walter Klein and Noah Brooks Klein. Nancy was a caring wife and mother to her family, and an extraordinary home cook and entertainer. For several decades, she and her husband hosted countless friends and family members in their home, especially on football weekends and holidays. Her menus were always remembered and celebrated, from her “graduate student lasagna” to her beef tenderloin and apple blueberry crisp. Nancy and Walter put tremendous value on the friendships they nurtured over their many years together, and this was demonstrated in their gracious hospitality to others. For over 40 years, Nancy was an active member of the Virginia Tech Faculty Women’s Club, where she served on several committees in support of the community. In the 1970s, she transformed her home into a workshop to make Christmas ornaments for the annual YMCA craft fair. She was a member of the editing board in publishing two cookbooks: Culinary Contentment (1984) and Food for Thought (1993). Proceeds from the sales of these cookbooks were used to provide scholarships for outstanding female students at Virginia Tech. She also participated in several cooking groups and was an avid bridge player. Nancy was a beloved grandmother to Rebecca and Rachel. She had boundless energy to spend with her grandchildren, picking them up from school, taking them to movies, going to the duck pond, taking special trips to Roanoke, and making snacks at home. It was in these small day-to-day tasks that her unconditional love for her family showed through the most. She was a constant loving presence in the girls’ lives and had a tremendous impact on who they are today. Special occasions were an especially fun time for the girls, as Nancy kept wonderful traditions in the celebration of birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas that were heartfelt and memorable. Nancy also adored her great-grandchildren. Spending hours holding them, talking to them about their days, and discussing the inner workings of the family grandfather clock. She would light up every time a new picture arrived in her digital frame or when she learned of an upcoming visit. The family will be having a private burial service and gathering to remember Nancy. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be given to the charity of your choosing. The family would like to extend warm thanks to Good Samaritan Hospice for their kindness and expertise. We would also like to thank Senior Home Care, Inc. for providing such wonderful care and support. Nancy, along with her husband Walter, will be tremendously missed by their family and long-standing friends. For those of us that remain, let us honor their memory by carrying on the values of family, friendship, positivity, and celebration.