Obituary of Rhona Jean O'Hara

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our amazing mother Rhona Jean Greene O’Hara, at the age of 83 years.

On a snowy early morning, Rhona J. Greene O’Hara of Dunbar Falls, NB passed away peacefully at Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Saturday, December 21, 2024, surrounded with love by her husband of 60 years Alton, eldest son Andrew, daughter- in-law Casey, her grandsons, Brady and Daniel and her sister Brenda. She was the daughter of the late Arthur Glenwood Greene and Jean Edney (Norrad) Greene. Rhona Jean Green was born in Taymouth, NB, Friday October 24th, 1941.

Besides her parents, she was pre-deceased by her sister Joyce, brother Paul Green nee Greene, sister Valerie O’Hara, sister Mildred Sidebottom, brother Ralph Greene, sister Phyllis Camken and brother Artie Greene.

In addition to her husband Alton Andrew O’Hara, Rhona is survived by her children, Melanie O’Hara-Hutchinson (Curtis), Andrew William O’Hara (Casey) and Thomas Vincent O’Hara (Vicki); grandsons, Brady and Daniel O’Hara; granddaughter, Tristen Hutchinson; grandson, Tyler O’Hara and granddaughter, Shyla Hutchinson; siblings, Bev Greene (Freda), Connie Campbell (Jim), Brenda Gullison (Laurie) and Neil Greene; numerous nieces and nephews.

Rhona was a hero to her large family at age 14, when she helped her Dad escape when their house caught on fire. She acquired super strength and carried a feather down mattress bed out to save. With a family of 11 children, it was needed.

After aiding her teachers and students with class studies, she graduated from Taymouth High School in 1958 and went on to graduate from Fredericton Teacher’s College. She was a retired member of the teaching profession in Prince Rupert, BC teaching Grades 1-12, as well as substituting at Taymouth School, Nashwaak Valley School and Stanley.

Rhona married her sweetheart Alton Andrew O’Hara in Stanley on June 26, 1964. After 60 years of marriage, our father with the help of attending Nurses and family was able to sit beside our beautiful mother and hold her hand in her passing.

She attended Our Lady of Fatima Church and supported the community churches in Taymouth and Stanley. She was also a co-chair of the Taymouth Community Centre {formerly Taymouth School} Market. She was a weekly attendee of TOPS, making many friends, as she did with selling Watkins, Princess House, Clothing lines, etc. She was an entrepreneur, always coming up with new ideas, creating her own jewellery, clothing and more.

Rhona was a fabulous seamstress, making her daughter’s graduation dress, and selling handmade purses and handbags at the market. She was always learning a new skill whether it be upholstery, Chinese cooking class, stained glass soldering or trying a new sport. She was a great softball pitcher for the local teams, enjoyed bowling, curling and cross-country skiing.

She enjoyed dancing and gatherings and often wrote and read stories, poems, jokes or came up with a fun game to play at events. She and family delighted in family and friend get togethers filled with music, piano, guitars, fiddles, harmonicas, spoons and singing. She was blessed with a very musical family on both sides. Her eyes gleamed with pride every time she saw or heard her kids or grandkids performing on stage, whether it be acting, baton twirling, dancing, singing or playing a musical instrument such as drums and guitar.

After living for 6 years in Prince Rupert, and creating lifelong friendships with several friends there, she, her husband and two children {Melanie and Andrew} moved back to New Brunswick and they bought a house and general store. “O’Hara’s General Store”, in Nashwaak Village, where she gained business knowledge and was a great neighbour and friend to many. Their third child Thomas was born in Fredericton.

Our mother was a “foodie” before foodie was a word. She was an excellent cook and loved finding recipes, creating her own and sharing or selling her creations. We enjoyed many family meals together and a few leftovers from what she made and sold at market including her famous blueberry cheesecake, antipasto, breads, award winning Caesar salad, relishes, cakes, and so much more. She enjoyed eating at the Diplomat and a really good Margarita once in awhile.  

Rhona was a fabulous writer and often wrote letters, to her family, or wrote her thoughts in journals expressing the latest news of family and friends, recipe ideas, etc. We are grateful to be able to have her thoughts on paper. She also was very proud recently to help in editing her sister, Valerie’s, novel, which is to be published soon.

We will miss our Mom Rhona’s smile, warm hugs, laugh, and motherly advice, “Don’t worry so much dear. It will all work out in the end. Tomorrow’s another day!”

She was an incredible mother, wife, grandmother, daughter, sister, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, niece, aunt and friend, there for many, believed in community and above all else, nothing was more important than her family. 

We would like to thank all those who have stopped by Mom and Dad’s room, calling, sending messages from near and afar. We especially are so grateful for our Aunt Brenda who has been an angel on earth for our mother and all our family.   We know you loved her as much as we do.

Rhona was never about fuss. She did love preparing meals and sweets and treats for the special holidays and most importantly spending time with her loved ones, whether it be in person, or on the telephone.  She embraced zoom calls and enjoyed many conversations. She would have wanted family and friends to enjoy their family time at this time of year.

Visitation for Rhona will be Friday, January 3, 2025 at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, NB, from 12- 2 pm with the Celebration of Life to take place at 2 pm with Rev. Ellen Beairsto officiating. There will be a reception to follow the service. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com.

We love you, our beautiful Rhona Jean.

As Dad always says, “Bye for now sweetheart”