Obituaries

ITHACA - Bunny O'Brien/Schassburger, age 63, a retired head nurse and manager of Ithaca Dialysis, and nurse practitioner for its medical director, Dr. Robert Hesson, died Saturday morning, January 26, 2008, at her residence. She was born in Ithaca, a daughter of Edwin and Betty Watson. Bunny had been with her husband, Ron Schassburger, since March 30, 1989, and the two had been a loving couple ever since, with their formal marriage on May 12, 2007 at their home. Theirs was a fairy tale courtship and romance that grew in love and affection day by day from the time they met until she died, and will live well beyond.

Bunny was formally trained as a nurse and nurse practitioner, with her care touching numerous lives over the past forty years. While highly respected for her medical competency, she was even more widely known for her compassionate care, kind bedside manner, and always placing the needs of her patients above all else.

Her peers recognized not only these qualities but also remember her for her vibrancy and how she lit up a room with her very presence-always a warm smile and a twinkle in her eyes. Bunny's children and grandchildren were among her highest priorities, providing her with her greatest sense of self-satisfaction. Her unconditional love brought Ron into their family and the house they built became a home. As she cared for her children she cared for Ron and gave him equal love. Her character can be summarized in one word... unselfish, as she always placed others needs first and was most fulfilled in helping and watching others succeed.

She will be greatly missed by her loving husband, Ron Schassburger, and their two dogs, Brandy and Lily; a daughter, Kelly O'Brien; two sons, Christopher O'Brien and Sean (Amy) O'Brien; three grandchildren, Mary O'Brien, Rachel O'Brien and Finnegan O'Brien; her parents, Edwin and Betty Watson; a brother, Robert (Karen) Watson; three sisters, Mary (David) Bernstein, Sarah (Nicholas) Prisco, and Judith Atkins; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A private service will be held on Tuesday evening, with an open memorial reception to be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2008, from 5-8 pm at Willow Restaurant, 202 East Fall Street, Ithaca. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bunny O'Brien/Schassburger Pancreatic Cancer Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 285, Freeville, NY 13068.