As Johnny O’Brien’s wife, Jeanne O’Brien balanced adventure, family, and community with unshakable grace.
Johnny O’Brien carved his name into Seattle sports history as one of the most remarkable athletes the Pacific Northwest has ever produced.
Standing just 5 feet 9 inches tall, O’Brien defied expectations and became a basketball legend at Seattle University in the early 1950s.
He led the Chieftains to a stunning 84-81 victory over the legendary Harlem Globetrotters in 1952, scoring 43 points despite playing with a broken nose.
This victory put Seattle University and the city itself on the national sporting map.
O’Brien’s basketball prowess earned him All-American honors and established him as the first collegiate player to score 1,000 points in a season.
His 2,733 career points remained a Seattle University record for decades.
Along with his identical twin brother Eddie, Johnny transformed the small Jesuit school into a basketball powerhouse, compiling a remarkable 90-17 record over three varsity seasons.
The twins’ success extended beyond basketball, as they also excelled in baseball, leading to professional contracts with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After his playing days, O’Brien served his community as a King County commissioner and council member for 12 years, then spent nearly 20 years managing Kingdome operations until his retirement in 1993.
His influence on Seattle sports and civic life extended far beyond his athletic achievements, making him a beloved figure in the community for over seven decades.
Johnny O’Brien’s Wife Jeanne Was The Heart Of His 70-Year Journey
Behind Johnny O’Brien’s legendary career stood his devoted wife, Jeanne Teresa O’Brien, whose love and support anchored their extraordinary 70-year marriage.
Born Jeanne Teresa Kumhera on November 28, 1929, in West Seattle, she grew up as the third of four daughters to parents Frank and Rose Kumhera.
Her early years were spent at Holy Rosary Grade School and High School, where she developed the strong character traits that would define her throughout her life.
Jeanne pursued her education at Seattle University, studying sociology, where fate brought her into Johnny’s orbit.
Their meeting at the university campus would prove to be the beginning of one of Seattle’s most enduring love stories.
When Johnny mustered the courage to propose, Jeanne’s response was characteristically thoughtful: “I’ll think about it.”
True to her deliberate nature, she took a full year to consider his proposal before giving him her answer.
The couple married on October 2, 1954, with Jeanne serving as Johnny’s college sweetheart and having been crowned Seattle University’s 1951 Homecoming Queen.
Their wedding took place while Johnny was serving in the U.S. Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, where he had been inducted along with his twin brother Eddie.
The ceremony received prominent coverage in the society pages of the Seattle Sunday Times, befitting the celebrity status the O’Brien twins had achieved.
After completing graduate studies in social work at Boston College, Jeanne dedicated herself to building a family and serving her community.
The O’Briens settled in Seattle, where they raised seven children together on Capitol Hill while being active members of St. Joseph’s Parish.
Their children—Anne, John, Julie, Frank, Pat, Joe, and Mary—became the center of their world, with Jeanne displaying what family members described as “the patience of a saint.”
Her only admitted fear during the early child-rearing years was that all the children would wake up at the same time.
Jeanne’s character shone through her lifelong commitment to charitable work.
She volunteered extensively with the Francis House and the Association for Catholic Community Services.
As a charter member of the Immaculate Heart Circle, she helped establish lasting community connections that enriched countless lives.
The O’Brien household was known for Jeanne’s culinary talents, with her potato salad, banana bread, and chocolate chip cookie recipes becoming legendary among family and friends.
Her approach to life was captured in her frequent reminder to “savor, savor” whenever something particularly nice occurred, encouraging everyone around her to appreciate life’s precious moments.
Jeanne’s adventurous spirit complemented Johnny’s athletic nature perfectly.
She was known for her love of travel and sense of adventure, often being the first or second person off the rope swing at Lisabeula Resort on Vashon Island.
Her zest for life included simple pleasures like fresh flowers, sweet treats, black and white cows, and sharing a beer to keep it cold.
Her three sisters remained her closest friends throughout her life, creating a tight-knit family bond that provided strength and joy for decades.
Nonetheless, the couple’s marriage weathered the challenges of Johnny’s professional baseball career, his subsequent political service, and the demands of raising seven children.
Moreover, Tragedy struck the O’Brien family when their daughter Mary passed away before her parents.
Despite this heartbreak, Jeanne and Johnny continued to support each other and their remaining children, grandchildren, and extended family.
Their home remained a gathering place for celebrations, holidays, and the countless stories that Johnny loved to tell about his athletic career and their life together.
As they aged, the couple faced the inevitable challenges of growing older with the same grace and dignity that had characterized their entire marriage.
Jeanne’s health began to decline in her final years, but she remained surrounded by family and caregivers who provided comfort and support.
The family expressed heartfelt gratitude to caregivers Ann, Bee, Jemila, Sandal, Feyruz, and Jean, who brought Jeanne comfort and care during her final days.
Jeanne Teresa O’Brien passed away peacefully in her Seattle home on December 13, 2024, at the age of 95.
Her funeral service was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on December 21, 2024, the same parish where she and Johnny had been active members for decades.
The service was preceded by a rosary and followed by a reception in the church’s social hall, bringing together the many lives she had touched throughout her remarkable life.
Johnny O’Brien, who had seemed invincible to his family for so many years, followed his beloved wife exactly six months later, passing away on June 14, 2025, at the age of 94.
Their daughter Julie noted the poignant timing, saying,
“He died exactly six months after Jeanne, his wife of 70 years, died. We all looked at him like he was invincible… but it’s still surprising, just because we always felt he was invincible.”
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Their 70-year marriage created a family dynasty that includes their surviving children, Anne, John, Julie, Frank, Pat, and Joe, along with 11 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Johnny had multiple sets of teeth and broken noses from basketball.
- He pitched in the major leagues and gave up home runs to Hall of Famers.
- He coached future NBA Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor.
