Mary "Bessie" Agnes Elizabeth Mcdowell O'Brien

Mary “Bessie” Agnes Elizabeth McDowell O’Brien passed away peacefully at her longtime home outside Petaluma on May 26, 2018.  She is survived by her husband of 25 years Peter O’Brien, her children and step-children Ken Jorgensen (Elizabeth) of Petaluma, Trisha McDowell Garner (Chip) of Cotati, Deanna O’Brien of Cotati and Lora O’Brien; her god-daughter Amanda Busch of Boulder, Colo.; her grandchildren Catelyn Garner, Brogan and Piper Jorgensen, Shauna Rivas, and Jayme Fleucher; great-grandchildren Dylan Rivas and Isla and Harper Fleucher; her brother Joseph McDowell (Marilyn) of Vacaville; her sister-in-law Carol McDowell of Petaluma, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.  Bessie, as she was affectionately known to one and all, was born into a well-known Petaluma dairy family on February 26, 1941, and is preceded in death by her parents James and May McDowell and her brother Jim McDowell.  Apart from a few years in college, her entire life was spent in Petaluma.  Aside from her family, her greatest joy in life was teaching young children.  Her optimism and positive spirit inspired countless young minds over the years.  Bessie spent more than three decades in the classroom, many of them at Liberty Elementary School, and loved it so much that she continued to substitute teach after her 2002 retirement. Besides travels to Hawaii and to visit family in Ireland, which filled her with special memories, she never missed an opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren.  She was a devoted Elvis fan and regretted never seeing the King in concert.  Her fondness for Pepsi Cola and dill pickles was legendary.  A memorial service will be held on June 6, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at the Two Rock Presbyterian Church, 7063 Bodega Avenue, Petaluma.  A reception will follow at Liberty Elementary School, 170 Liberty School Road, Petaluma.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be sent to Ceres Community Center, Autism Speaks or Liberty School Foundation. Memorial Service

Two Rock Presbyterian Church

Wednesday, June 06, 2018 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM 7063 Bodega Avenue Petaluma, CA 94952 Directions Reception

Liberty Elementary School

Wednesday, June 06, 2018 2:30 PM 170 Liberty Road Petaluma, CA 94952 Directions