Jane Frances O’Brien, age 90½, passed away peacefully in Denver, Colorado, on August 25, 2026. 

Born on January 11, 1936, in Chicago Illinois, she was the daughter of Elmer and Ottilia Fischer. She and her brother were raised in a devout Catholic home in the Rogers Park area, surrounded by a large extended family and a childhood filled with faith, music and gatherings. Jane attended Saint Scholastica Academy before completing her first year at DePaul University. Her collegiate plans were set aside when she met Theodore (Ted) O’Brien through mutual friends. The two were married in June of 1954 in Chicago. 

Over the next ten years, Jane and Ted welcomed five children— Kathy, Bob, Eileen, Jim, and Nancy and the family eventually transferred to Denver, Colorado in 1965 for Ted’s employment opportunity. Jane frequently shared that her greatest accomplishment in life was raising her five children, and her greatest joy was watching those bonds grow into friendships. Later, becoming a grandmother brought her even more joy! Even with a busy household, Jane was the Hostess Extraordinaire, opening her home for countless annual gatherings for friends and family, always with warmth, style, good food and music.

 Jane retired at the age of 70 from a long career in commercial insurance, finally able to put her full energy toward her passions and staying active. For 10 years she volunteered at the Littleton Hospital as an “Angel” providing comfort and support to the patients; she was always such a great listener. She spent decades hiking and traveling, especially in Colorado, even completing the BolderBoulder and summiting the fourteener Mount Bierstadt in her 60s. She had a special place in her heart for Lake Dillon, which became the destination for countless family reunions (not quite Lake Michigan where she grew up but it would do). She attended aerobics classes up until the age of 80 and took daily hour-long walks along the High Line Canal in Littleton. Her life was filled with music, and she especially enjoyed Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, and Tony Bennett. An avid reader throughout her life, Jane joined a book club in retirement, finding not only conversation but friendships. She enjoyed playing bridge and all types of board games; she was always the family’s first draft pick for Cranium, since no one could beat her at spelling words backward. She was also an enthusiastic sports fan, and her all-time favorite team was the Denver Broncos, though she also cheered on the Denver Nuggets, and her beloved Chicago Cubs.

Jane will forever be remembered for her incredible resilience, impeccable style, quick wit, the warmth of her laugh and hugs, as well as for her famous baked Mac N Cheese, her children never quite mastered. While she was deeply devoted to all her friends and family, she shared a unique and unbreakable bond with her children. To them, she will always be the "Best Mom Ever," and the love she gave them is a memory they will carry close to their hearts.

Jane is survived by her children: Kathy and her late husband Jack, Eileen and her husband Barry, Jim and his wife Dianne, Nancy and her husband Rich. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Lindsey, Corey, Davis, Connor, Melanie, Dylan, Jordan, and Ryan; along with three great grandchildren Fischer, Lucy & Maisie; and her brother Tom and his wife Jan. She is now at peace in heaven alongside her son Bob and her parents who passed away before her.

To honor Jane’s memory, and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the following Colorado based organizations. These pastimes brought her joy throughout her life, and she would love nothing more than for others to keep experiencing that same joy. 

● Colorado Mountain Club https://www.cmc.org/about 

● Denver Center For Performing Arts https://tinyurl.com/rks5w5r9 

● Books to Kids https://www.bookstokidsco.com/