Oct 25 2018

Marion O’Brien

Marion O'Brien

Marion O’Brien

It is with enormous sadness that we report the sudden death of Marion O’Brien on 21 October, who worked for the School for 33 years until 2010.

She supported academics and the Convenor of the Economics Department from 1976-84, then worked as Manager of the Centre for Labour Economics and later for Richard Layard and John Van Reenen at the Centre for Economic Performance.

Marion was a truly exceptional human being who gave everything of herself to support others.

Her wisdom, wit, warmth and selfless enthusiasm will be remembered by the many generations of academics, students, and international visitors to the School whose projects and plans she enabled and whose lives she touched in unforgettable ways.

Nigel Rogers, Centre for Economic Performance

 

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7 Responses to Marion O’Brien

  1. Gus Stewart says:

    I knew Marion very well for 30 years as a member of the Research Division, until my retirement from the School in the same year as she also finally decided to loosen her ties. A wonderful colleague – kind, committed and unfailingly helpful, and fiercely proud of and loyal to both the CLE and CEP as both centres grew in reputation and size. I know that many colleagues, academic and administrative, will be touched by her passing. A true ‘School’ person. My thoughts are also with her former close colleagues at this sad news. RIP, Marion.

  2. Nicole Boyce says:

    Marion was incredibly helpful and kind to me when I worked in the Economics Department some years ago. She was unfailingly loyal to the School and an inspiration. Such sad news.

  3. Alma Gibbons says:

    Marion was a good friend and colleague for many years when I was at the School before I retired. She was an amusing, helpful and friendly soul who was much loved by her friends and in the departments she worked in. It is a shock to know that she has gone so soon. I send my condolences to everyone who worked with her.

  4. Louise Newton-Clare says:

    I am so sad to hear this. I remember Marion very well from the mid-late 1990s in CEP, she had such a wonderful sense of humour and was always so kind and helpful. In particular, Marion went out of her way to be welcoming to the many young people who came to CEP and who will remember her warmly. RIP Marion.

  5. Louise Newton-Clare says:

    Very sad news. I remember Marion well from the mid-late 1990s in CEP, working with Richard Layard on various Russian projects. Marion had a wonderful sense of humour and was always very kind and helpful. I remember in particular how she would go out of her way to warmly welcome the many young people and international visitors who came to CEP.
    RIP Marion.

  6. Patricia Nutt says:

    I had known Marion from the first day I joined the LSE back in 1979.
    She had been a constant person in my working life and afterwards at our ‘Ladies who Lunch’ group.
    She was a wonderful warm and caring woman – always willing to help and give advice. She never failed to ask after my children and then as time went by my grandsons and always willing to hear about their achievements. I shall miss her confident but modest presence.
    I have been truly shocked at her early death and wish her friends and family my kindest thoughts. I know many people will miss her in their lives.

  7. Partha Sen says:

    Marion was a good friend. A really warm, witty, and generous person.
    When I entered LSE as a graduate student, she was like an older sister to all of us–always ready to help, enquiring about our welfare.
    Later, when I became a Lecturer (the first of my two one-year stints), I got to know her really well, since she shared an office with my secretary, Enid Gowing (another wonderful person).
    Once my wife had come to the Department. Marion saw my sons (two years, and six months respectively), whipped out a camera, and took a photo. Today these photos can be taken and deleted at will, but then it was a big thing (at least for me).
    I last saw her outside “The George” (pub) about ten years ago. She was rushing off, undoubtedly at end of a very busy day, and had brief chat.
    I will miss her warmth, and one-liners.

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