YOLANDA “JOLI” (TORRES) O’BRIEN

September 18, 2026

YOLANDA “JOLI” (TORRES) O’BRIEN

YOLANDA “JOLI” (TORRES) O’BRIEN – of Chelmsford, formerly of Woburn, passed away peacefully September 18th, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the age of fifty-two. Beloved wife of Michael J. O’Brien. Proud mother of Alyssa Lundin and her husband, Timothy, of Chelmsford, and loving stepmother of John M. O’Brien and his wife, Nicole, of Billerica. Cherished daughter of Diega (Gonzalez) Torres of Woburn and the late Marcelino Torres. Devoted grandmother of Seamus. Dear sister of Marcelino Torres Jr. and his partner, Evelyn Castoires, of Woburn, Sonia Scarcella and her husband, Joseph, of North Carolina, and Maggie Leon and her husband, Reynaldo, of Burlington. She is also lovingly survived by Samantha, Chantel, Alex, Andrew, Kendrick, Madelyn and Gianna, along with many extended relatives and dear friends. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to calling hours on Friday, September 25th, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn. Her funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family. Remembrances may be made in Yolanda’s honor to the Lahey Cancer Center.

Yolanda “Joli” (Torres) O’Brien, of Chelmsford and formerly of Woburn, passed away peacefully on September 18th after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Syracuse, New York, Joli was the cherished daughter of Diega (Gonzalez) Torres of Woburn and the late Marcelino Torres. She was raised and educated in Woburn. She later built a career in finance administration, where her warmth, dedication and caring nature touched those fortunate enough to know and work alongside her.

Joli found her greatest happiness in the company of the people she loved. A wonderful cook and gracious host, she delighted in filling her home with family, friends, laughter and delicious food– she made the best arroz con gandules. Nothing pleased her more than seeing those gathered around her table enjoying a meal she had prepared.

Joli LOVED being a mom to her “brat.” The bond between them was strong. Their matching tattoos – siempre contigo – were a testament to their loving relationship.

Family traditions held a special place in Joli’s heart. Annual sister weekend trips were always a good time. She treasured holidays spent with loved ones. She always looked forward to winter visits to Hyannis to celebrate her birthday and wedding anniversary. She especially cherished her Saturday afternoondates with her husband, Mike. The two were always setting out together, discovering new places and trying something different. Whether enjoying time away or being at home, their time together was one of her greatest joys.

Joli will be remembered for her generous heart, welcoming spirit and the love she so freely gave to others. Her courage throughout her illness reflected the strength with which she lived her life. Above all, she was devoted to her family, and the love and memories she shared with them will remain in their hearts forever.

Joli was the beloved wife of Michael (Mike) J. O’Brien. She was the proud mother of Alyssa Lundin and her husband, Timothy, of Chelmsford, and the loving stepmother of John M. O’Brien and his wife, Nicole, of Billerica. She was the devoted grandmother of Seamus and the dear sister of Marcelino Torres Jr. and his partner, Evelyn Castoires, of Woburn; Sonia Scarcella and her husband, Joseph, of North Carolina; and Maggie Leon and her husband, Reynaldo, of Burlington. She is also lovinglysurvived by her nieces and nephews, Samantha, Kendrick, Chantel, Alex, Andrew, and grand-nieces, Madelyn and Gianna, along with many extended relatives and dear friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to calling hours on Friday, September 25th, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn. Her funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family. Remembrances may be made in Joli’s honor to the Lahey Cancer Center. 

 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to calling hours on Friday, September 25th, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn. Her funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family. Remembrances may be made in Yolanda’s honor to the Lahey Cancer Center.

Guestbook

39 Entries

Leave an entry

  1. Cherie Appleby-Lannan and Sean Lannan

    Mike,
    We send our best and warmest thoughts to you and your family at this time of loss. May her memory be a blessing to you and your entire family.

  2. Melissa Queliz

    Joli was such a joy. My cuz, always bringing fun, laughter, and love to our family. She always made me smile and had such a good heart. She genuinely cared about others and was always giving. She was a fighter, and I’ll always admire her strength and spirit. I’m going to miss my cuz so much. I’m grateful for the memories, the laughs, and all the moments we shared.

    Joli, you will always be in my heart and in our hearts. We love you, cuz. ❤️

    Melissa, Miguel & Melania Queliz

  3. Lisa Malone Puchowski

    Mike, so sorry to hear about Yolanda, that’s her name that I knew her as working at Charrette. Too young!
    I’m sorry for your loss.

  4. Steven Mojica

    Joli, I will truly miss your laughter and friendship. Us growing up at Hobby Street. My condolences to the family from the Mojica Family.

  9. Rey Leon

    To my beautiful and amazing sister in-law Joli. I will miss you and the love and kindness you`ve always shown me from the very first day I met you and my now lovely wife Maggie, at the new years eve party at the Towanda Club ringing in the new year of 1994. You will be greatly missed by all who know and love you.

    Always Remembered Never Forgotten

  10. Goretti

    Jolanda, so sorry to hear of your passing.. may you finally rest in eternal peace. I have been thinking of you but don’t know where you were living. Joli you will be missed so much. I remember you was a bride’s maid in my wedding. You remember it was a great time. Love you girl much. May you rest eternal peace my friend.

  12. Mark Bone

    Terribly sad news. My condolences to Mike, family and friends. While I only knew her a short time through work, she was an angel, gracious, fun, always helpful, and a joy to be around when I had the opportunity. God Bless Joli, be at peace, and thank you for making an impression on my life! ❤️🙏

  14. Betsy Schneider and Jim Maitland

    Mike, we are so sorry for you loss, and holding you and your family in our hearts. May her memory be a blessing to all.

  17. Lisa Loucks

    To all of Joli’s family, I am so sorry for your loss. Joli was a beautiful and sweet soul. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  19. Elizabeth Gerard

    Yolanda was such a joyous person to work with, and I will miss her greatly! My deepest heartfelt condolences go out to all her family and friends at this time and wish them comfort in this hard time. Think of the good times and she will forever be in your heart!

  21. Janet Canada

    Alyssa, my deepest condolences to you and family. Joli is a Beautiful person inside and
    out and will truly
    be missed.
    May she rest in Peace.

    Love Janet

  22. Janet Canada

    Alyssa, my deepest condolences to you and family. She is a Beautiful person inside and
    out and will truly
    be missed.

    Love Janet

  23. Jennifer Lee

    She was a wonderful person who brightened up my work day with her cheery & silly personality. I am lucky to have known her

  24. Andre martinez

    I really cant and dont want believe that a special person and beautiful lady was taken from us. Im so heart broken that i can’t stop crying and cant stop thinking about you. I always loved you as friend and will always keep you in my heart 🙏🙏❤️❤️

  25. Beatry

    To my cuzzo!! I wanted to hug you and tell you I love you in person 1 last time. You were so friggin awesome and we share so many memories! I love you now and forever. Rest in peace and tell my family up in heaven to keep looking out for us down here. Until we see you again. RIP🥺😔🌹🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

  26. Mary Morgan

    Mike, there are no words. I’m so very sorry to hear of Joli’s passing. She was such a beautiful soul. I’ll always remember our chats and so many laughs at the pub. She loved you so much! Love and prayers to you and your family. XO

  29. Lynne Steer-Kidder

    I’m so sorry to hear of her passing. So young. Prayers to Mike and the entire family. RIP Joli

  31. Lorre

    I was heart broken to hear the news of Jolie’s passing. We have lost another wonderful soul. She was such a sweet caring person who will be missed by many. Rest in peace “cousin Jolie”, give Nena a hug for me.
    Lorre Mendez

  33. Reemie Soury

    I honestly don’t even know how to put into words how heartbroken I am to hear that you’re gone. It doesn’t feel real. I keep thinking about you, your beautiful smile, your laugh, and that thick-ass Boston accent that I could hear a mile away.

    I will never forget the first time we met. It was at a family function in Boston that Mike brought me to, and somehow, from the very beginning, you and I just clicked. Our personalities matched so perfectly. You welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I wasn’t just Mike’s wife, you made me feel like family.

    Every time we came to Boston, you welcomed us into your home. You were always so warm, loving, and genuinely happy to see us. And the way you loved my Sophia will forever mean something to me. You loved both of my girls like they were your own, but I know Sophia will always remember the love you showed her.

    But what I will carry with me the most is the way you showed up for me when I was sick. When my entire world had been turned upside down, you were there. You visited me. You wrote to me. You checked on me. You made sure I knew I wasn’t alone. I will never forget you coming to see me after I had lost all of my hair. I was going through one of the hardest and most vulnerable times of my life, and you looked at me and told me I was still beautiful. Those words may have seemed so simple to you, but they meant so much to me and I will never, ever forget that.

    And I can’t stop thinking about our last hug. You came to visit Nena in the hospital, and I hugged you goodbye. I had absolutely no idea that would be the last time I would ever hold you in my arms. If I had known, I would have hugged you tighter. I would have held you in my arms a little longer. I would have told you how much you meant to me and how grateful I was that our lives crossed.

    I am so incredibly sad that you had to leave us but I know you fought as hard as you could. You fought this terrible disease with everything you had, and now I hope with all my heart that you can finally put down that fight and rest.

    To Titi Diega, Mike, Alyssa, Maggie and the entire family, my heart breaks for all of you. I am sending you more love and strength than words can express. She was truly one of a kind. The hole she leaves behind can never be filled, but I hope the memories of her beautiful smile, her laugh and her love bring you comfort in the days ahead.

    Joli, thank you for welcoming me into the family. Thank you for loving Sophia. Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for every laugh, every hug and every memory.

    Rest peacefully, my dear friend. You fought long enough. You can rest now. I love you, and I will carry you with me forever and always. Until we meet again. ❤️

  34. Evi

    May God have you in HIS loving arms! May you be at peace in Paradise! I love you Joli just like my little sister!! May you be in your Glory!!

  36. Jessica (Fillio) Mantero-Verge

    Thanks for being my second mom growing up. Thank you for taking me with you guys to all the family parties, feeding me your pasta and beans, doing my hair like Alyssa’s, and loving me like I was your own. The impact you made on my life will always be cherished. I’m devastated to know you’re gone, but I’m grateful you’re no longer have to put up a fight and you get to rest.

    Now I hope you’re up there having a great time at a heavenly-family party with your loved ones.

    I’ll make sure I come join in when I get up there.

    I love you lots, and I miss you even more.

  37. Savana spellman

    Joli- I will never forgot your contagious energy and sense of humor. I always enjoyed being around you and your family. Thank you for always welcoming me into your home and loving me like a family member. I will always cherish the memories I have of you. Rest in the sweetest eternal peace Joli oli 💓

  38. Luis C Colon & Jenny Santiago-Colon

    May God have her in his loving arms. May she Rest in Peace. Our Deepest Condolences for her family which we love dearly.

Leave a guestbook entry

Guestbook entries are moderated — please allow 24-48 hours for your entry to appear. Your email address will not be published.