Teresa Marie O'Brien

Teresa Marie Fortino O’Brien, age 77 of Swartz Creek, Michigan, died Dec. 21, 2025 in Ann Arbor from pancreatic cancer. While the progression of her illness was quick, she was able to spend her final days surrounded by family and friends.

Teresa was born Oct. 9, 1948 in Flint to Robert and Dorothy Fortino. She attended St. Mary Queen of Angels Elementary School and graduated from Swartz Creek High School in 1966.

Teresa worked in the family grocery store Fortino’s Food Market, was a short order cook at Hart’s Dairy, and was a fur finisher at Furs by Fritz until working for and then later owning Lovegrove’s Cake and Candy in downtown Swartz Creek. There, she shared her passion for homemade cakes and candies through classes, inspiring many home cooks over the years.

A creative and artistic person, Teresa had many pursuits including basket weaving, crocheting, painting, making rosaries, and pottery. Most of all, she loved cooking, especially for her family, and she hosted many family gatherings at her home in Swartz Creek and at her place at the lake on Holiday Shores. She loved to travel with her son, Patrick Wells-O’Brien, visit his family in Ann Arbor, garden and grow flowers, and share family recipes at gatherings she hosted such as Vertot Day and Cookie Day.

Teresa had a strong Catholic faith, attending Mass daily, and she was devoted to praying the rosary and Eucharistic adoration. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary Queens of Angels in Swartz Creek, where she was a devoted parishioner.

She is survived by her son Patrick, his husband Demetrike, and her granddaughter Catherine; brothers Paul Fortino, Robert Fortino, David Fortino and James Fortino; her brother-in-law, Victor Dipzinski; nieces and nephews Maria Fortino, Alicia and Chris Marting and their children Brandon and Renee, Melissa Fortino, Angela Fortino and Ben Moulton, Stephanie Fortino; Sara Dipzinski and Victor Dipzinski; Allison Fortino and Nick and Anna Fortino; Robert O’Brien, former husband; and the O’Brien family Stewart Spencer, Diane and Mike Dowler and son Robert Dowler, Terry O’Brien, Libbie and Jamie MacDonald and sons Spencer and Ian, Charles and Kathleen Spencer and their daughter Daphne. She is also survived by dear friends Linda and Roger Bloss and Jeanne Stiebel.

She was predeceased by her parents, sister, Mary Ann Dipzinski, brother, Mark Fortino, sisters-in-law Judi Fortino and Mary Fortino, and members of her O’Brien family, Evelene and Charles O’Brien and Colleen Spencer.

A visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Rosary to begin at 7 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd, Swartz Creek, MI 48473

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Swartz Creek at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, with a visitation to precede at 10 a.m. with Fr. Dwight Ezop presiding and Patrick Wells-O’Brien to deliver the eulogy.

Teresa was able to provide the gift of sight after death through eye donation after her passing. Donations in her memory can be made to Gift of Life Michigan 3861 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 GOLM.org