Franny O’Brien & Lila O’Brien
The O’Brien family’s Notre Dame connection stretches through several generations. Sisters Franny, a senior, and Lila, a sophomore, are the latest in a line of alumni that includes both their grandfathers, their late dad, their step-dad, and their brother. While Franny committed to Notre Dame her junior year of high school to play women’s lacrosse, it took God’s timing to bring Lila to Our Lady’s University to learn and play alongside her sister.
“Our Catholic faith, family’s support, and God’s plan brought us to Notre Dame. Nothing in our journey happened all at once. Each step unfolded slowly, in its own time.
“This Advent, I’m reminded that waiting isn’t empty. It’s where God prepares our hearts, strengthens our faith, and reveals the meaning behind the path we’ve been given. As we honor our father’s legacy and play side by side, we can now reflect on how God has guided us every step of the way.”
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That’s a lovely legacy. It is so wonderful for the sisters to be teammates on and off the fields. The Bible says God knew us when we were on our mother’s womb. These sisters’ paths were determined then. May Advent cause us to reflect on how Each of us is prepared by God, if we have a willing servant’s heart, to be a positive force of faith.
Thank you Justina. 💝💛💝
Oh Franny and Lila. I never had the privilege of meeting your father – though we were classmates. Thank you for sharing your beautiful and inspiring story. Your dad is most certainly watching you both from the heavenly realms and is beaming. As a father, I know you have made him so incredibly proud.
Please and blessings!
Thank you. 💝💛💝
Such a beautiful legacy, along with such a heartbreaking loss of your Dad. God Bless your entire family for generations yet to come forth. Notre Dame is a sacred, special, and amazing place. My two children attended Notre Dame, carrying an awesome experience with them forever. Thank you for sharing your love and heartfelt story.
Thank you Donna. 💛🙏💛
I thank the O’Brien family for all that they have done for Notre Dame. Here in Albany the legacy of your grandfather Frank, grandmother Mary Beth, and your father Frank live on. You ladies are continuing a proud tradition of Domers. May God continue to guide you and the O’Brien family to do well. God bless, Go Irish!
Thank you Ron. 💛💝💛
Thank you for these beautiful reflections. Each story helps me in my journey to God, especially during Advent.
Thank you Marietta. 💛🙏💛 ( Françoise and Lila’s mom))
May God continue to bless you both and your entire family! Such a beautiful remembrance of your father!
Keep the faith
Always fight the fight
Thank you Patrick. 💛🙏💛
( Françoise and Lila’s mom))
Franny and Lila – congratulations on your journey to ND. Your dad was both a classmate and a friend. He spent sooo much time in the penalty box that my WVFI hockey announcing friends and I often wondered if it was his vacation home. Thank you for sharing your story and best wishes on your ND journey.
Thank you Sean. 🥰
Thank you for your beautiful prayers & commitment to Notre Dame. You are indeed
Following in the O’Brien legacy. I was a classmate in Civil Engineering, class of 1957
with both of your Grandfathers, Frank O’Brien & Dick Cunningham. I was blessed to
spend my career teaching in the College of Engineering and enjoyed many interactions
with them over the years. God bless you.
Jerry,
Thank you for commenting. My father, Richard Cunningham, is still going to work daily!
Peace.
💛💝💛
Franny and Lila, thank you for the message. I was 12/5 and if you get a chance please look. Your grandfather was a classmate of my brother Tom, ’57 and were good friends since graduation. Tailgates, class trips, reunions, the class of 1957 was one of the best. Thanks to your grandfather we always had a secure parking place for games and met Lefty Smith as well. Your grandma keeps in touch with Tom’s wife Becky Brennan. All the best as 2026 unfolds at Notre Dame, blessings to the O’Brien family and tell them the Brennans say hello and merry Christmas. Mike Brennan class of 1969, part of the tapestry of Notre Dame
Hi Mike, thank you for taking the time to share these memories. It’s wonderful to hear about the connection between our families, and we truly appreciate the warm wishes. We watched your sacred story and were deeply touched, we’re very sorry for the loss of your brother. We believe it was St. Andre. Wishing you blessings in the year ahead!
Thank you Michael.
Françoise and Lila’s mom.
💝💛💝
Franny and Lila, first comment may not have published. The Brennan family and O’Briens go back to my brother Tom and your grandfather being classmates, 1957. They traveled together and saw each other at tailgates, reunions and ’57 gatherings, one of the best to graduate from Notre Dame. He was responsible for the Brennans to secure parking at the home games, prime parking! My sister-in-law Becky keeps in touch with your grandmother. I was sacred story December 5 if you get a chance to view. Blessing to the family, all the best in 2026 for all your endeavors at Notre Dame. Mike Brennan class of 1969
Holy Irish ❗️what an awesome story. My eyes are tearing. ND’72
Thank you Patrick. 💚☘️
Françoise and Lila’s mom.
So awesome you can honor your father’s legacy…together!
Thank you Kerry. 🥰
Incredible story Franny and Lila- thank you for sharing! What a wonderful gift the two of you getting to share the field together as teammates- and live the ND tradition together- enjoy every minute of it. All the best this Christmas!
Thank you Mick. 💚☘️💚
Françoise and Lila’s mom.
What a beautiful legacy and thank you for sharing your journey with loving memories!
Your story should make all of us remember this truthful quote;
The good we do is never lost, it never dies. The good deeds of your life will live on in other people, in other places and in other times.”
– Matthew Kelly
(Dynamic Catholic)
This is what the O’Brien family has shown us!
Merry Christmas and God bless…
Thank you Donald. ☘️💚☘️
As parents of one of Frankie’s closest friends and hockey teammates, my wife and I were often beneficiaries of Frank & Mary Beth’s warm Irish generosity on hockey weekends. On numerous occasions both at ND and on the road, the O’Briens hosted lavish private dining room meals & hospitality rooms for team families, providing a wonderful atmosphere and opportunity for building friendships snd camaraderie. It is a joy to see the O’Brien-ND legacy continue. I am not a Domer, but the tears flowed. Wonderful Christmas to all.
Hi Mr. Hanzel, thank you so much for these beautiful words and memories. Wishing you and your family a wonderful new year!
Thank you Mr.Hanzel.
💚☘️💚
Thank you so much for these kind words. We love hearing about the memories and friendships built through those hockey weekends, and it truly means a great deal to our family. Hoping you and your family had a wonderful Christmas, and wishing you a very happy New Year!
What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Larry.
💚☘️💚