Alvina Walsh O'Brien

Alvina Louise Walsh O'Brien

Beloved Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, lifelong St. Paul resident, and philanthropist. Born in St. Paul, July 14, 1934, to parents Alvina Louise (née Frediani) and Harry McManus Walsh. Died peacefully Friday, March 28, 2025, at her home surrounded by family. First and foremost, Alvina celebrated a joyful life as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She graduated from Visitation School and Smith College. An active volunteer and champion of music, the arts, and education, Alvina served as the Vice-Chair of the Minnesota State Arts Council, President of the Twin Cities Opera Guild, Chair of the Metropolitan Opera National Council in the Upper Midwest, and Secretary of the Alice M. O’Brien Foundation. She was a Trustee of Visitation School, and on the boards of the Bach Society of Minnesota, the Schubert Club, WAMSO, the Twin Cities Opera Guild, the Minnesota Opera, and the Cathedral Heritage Foundation. She enjoyed a life-long avocation as a soprano, singing as a soloist with the Bach Society and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. She performed with the Minnesota Opera and was an active artist member of the Schubert Club. She sang as a member of the Chamber Chorus of the Bach Society for over thirty years and served as a Cantor for the Cathedral of St. Paul. Alvina was especially pleased as President of the Opera Guild to have co-produced the American premiere of The Green Children: An Opera by Nicola LeFanu. An active citizen, she attended the 1984 National Democratic Convention as an Alternate Delegate from Minnesota, was a founding member of RIP-35E, and served as the Chair of the Interior Design Committee of the Governor’s Residence Council. She was a devoted fan of the Twins, the Gophers, and any sporting event featuring a family member. She was ingenious at playing Bridge, deft at making fudge, and aglow with a baby on her shoulder. Alvina is preceded in death by her husband of fifty wonderful years, Thomond R. O’Brien, Sr.; by her parents; by sisters Angela W. Wozniak (Donald), and Nancy J. Walsh; brother Lt. Col. Richard A. Walsh, III (Sharon); sisters-in-law Julia O’Brien Wilcox (Richard), Eleanor K. O’Brien; and brothers-in-law William J. O’Brien, Jr. and Terence G. O’Brien. Alvina is survived by children Thomond R. O’Brien, Jr., Timothy W. J. O’Brien (Francine), M. John O’Brien (Amy), Caragh M. O’Brien (Joseph LoTurco), Alvina K. Hart (Richard), Laura O’Brien Smith (Bradner H.), and Nancy O’Brien Wagner (David); by grandchildren Lauren Voyage (Jack), Thomond O’Brien, III, Brooke O’Brien; Katherine Barton (Taylor), Maura O’Brien Whelan (Mark) and Claire O’Brien; Alice O’Brien and Lucy O’Brien; William LoTurco (Lauren), Emily LoTurco (James Moen), and Michael LoTurco (Mekah); Rebecca Hart, Thomas Hart (Celesta), and Julia Hart; Harrison Smith and Alec Smith; and Nolan Wagner, Francine Wagner, and Zoë Wagner; by great-grandchildren Clara, Alexandra, and Eve Barton; Jack and Joseph Whelan; Camille and Alexander LoTurco; Lily, Elsa, and Charlie Moen; and Eleanora and Vera Hart; by sister Rosemary Walsh Geist (Robert); by brother Harry M. Walsh; by former daughter-in-law Elizabeth F. O’Brien; and by sisters-in-law Sandra Beck and Nancy Waite-O’Brien. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, five godchildren, and many cherished friends. Mass of Christian Burial 11AM, Saturday, April 5th, at Cathedral of St. Paul (239 Selby Ave, St. Paul). Visitation beginning at 9:30AM until start of Mass Saturday at Cathedral of St. Paul. Interment immediately following, Resurrection Cemetery.  

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