Mary Louise O’Bier, 74, a beloved elementary school teacher in Milford School District, passed away on June 6.
O’Bier was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, to the late John and Mary Eleanor Long. She graduated from Milford High School in 1968 and, because of her love of children and education, attended the University of Delaware, earning her bachelor’s in elementary education in 1972. She earned her master’s in education from Salisbury State.
Initially, O’Bier taught first grade at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School before moving to Evelyn I. Morris Early Childhood Center. O’Bier was inducted into the Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization for women educators in 1995 and held many roles in the chapter.
One of O’Bier’s greatest joys was being the Future Teacher Scholarship Chairperson, organizing applications, the selection committee and celebrating the chosen recipient. With the help of her brother, Chet, O’Bier worked tirelessly on the scholarship. The sisters of the Epsilon Chapter plan to honor O’Bier by creating the Louise O’Bier Memorial Scholarship for Future Teachers.
A member of Avenue United Methodist Church, O’Bier was the president of the board. She also enjoyed reading, traveling, going to the beach, antiquing, working in her flower garden, country music and the play “Wicked.” She also loved the many children she taught over the years.
“After almost 70 years of being friends, life will not be the same without you,” Linda Brabowski commented on O’Bier’s Facebook page. “You were always there for me, providing support through everything good or bad that I was going through. There were times our paths went in different directions, but I knew you were a call away. I moved away for five years, but when I came back, I moved into the duplex next to you. So many shared experiences, days spent on the beach, hours looking at patterns and fabrics at Leggett’s, health issues with our parents and much more. So glad I said yes to having lunch with you and Don on Mother’s Day as it was the last time I saw you. I will miss my seatmate at church. See you on the other side.”
Calling her “Weeze,” Rocky Polite commented that O’Bier never took no for an answer. Deborah Kenton Long also commented that “Weeze would be missed beyond measure.”
“The world got a bit more dim when Mary Louise O’Bier’s light burned out, and what a light she was,” Beth Hamblin said. “A light of love, a light of joy, a light of friendship and a light of kindness. Those of us lucky enough to be taught by her remained her family forever and someone she never forgot. I had the pleasure of having lunch and catching up with her what feels like too long ago now that I’ll never have that earthly opportunity again. You’ll forever remain in my heart as an inspiration. We’ll meet again soon, I’m sure of it.”
Erika Allen posted that a “legend in the teaching community” had been lost, calling O’Bier an amazing mentor who impacted the lives of countless students.
“Mary Louise O’Bier was one of the most amazing and inspiring educators and people I have ever known. I am at a loss of words and did not want to believe it when I heard the sad news. I first knew her as Ms. Long, my first-grade teacher. She saw something in me that nobody other than my mother saw. She believed in me, she encouraged me, she loved me for me,” David Carter said. “She always told me I would do big things and was there to congratulate me when I became a teacher and coach in Milford. She was there when I became an administrator in Milford. She reached out when I went to Lake and IR as well.”
Carter continued.
“She was there at my wedding, she told my mother that she was so happy that ‘their’ son was getting married, because she often told me she was my second mom and that she wanted the right woman for me because I was so special to her,” he wrote. “She was there at the baby shower of our first son. She congratulated me on every accomplishment and always told me she was so proud of me. Last year, when I started my new position as principal at GMS, she reached out to my admin team without me knowing and set up a surprise visit. One of my APs put a meeting on my calendar and as I was walking into my office for this meeting, I was greeted by none other than my first-grade teacher.”
Carter continued, stating that words could not express the way he felt at the moment, but he knew there were thousands feeling the same things as O’Bier was truly one of a kind.
“I am thankful that she will forever be a part of my life because I will forever carry the love and memories that so many of us were blessed to be able to experience,” Carter wrote. “Please keep her family and friends in your prayers because she was special to many. And please, please, please don’t hesitate ot let your loved ones know you love them.”
O’Bier is survived by her husband, Donald O’Bier, Jr. who she married in 1992 as well as her brother, Chester Long and his wife, Sue Fox. She is also survived by her nephew, Christopher long and his wife, Lisa; her niece Kelly Cushing and her husband ,Rob, her goddaughter, Emily Chesser and her godson, Patrick Bailey. She is also survived by several great nieces and nephews.
The family will receive visitors at Avenue United Methodist Church from 11 AM to 1 PM on Monday, June 16 with a funeral service at 1 PM. Interment will be private. Flowers may be sent, or donations may be made to Avenue United Methodist Church, 20 North Church Street, Milford DE 19963 or The Louise O’Bier Memorial Scholarship for Future Teachers by contacting Nancy Burkett, Epsilon Treasurer, at [email protected]
