Ella Kathleen Hakanson O’Bryan, 41, of Paducah, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at Baptist Health-Paducah after battling breast cancer since 2015.
Ella was born in Owensboro, KY on December 11, 1976. During her youth, she participated in jazz and dance, earned a spot on the Kentucky State Gymnastics Team, and participated in equestrian events. She graduated from Daviess County High School. While attending Murray State University, Ella was the top rider in their equestrian program and competed on a collegiate scale. In addition, she graduated from Murray State University with a BSN degree in nursing. Her professional career began at Lourdes Hospital Intensive Care Unit. On July 10, 2004, she and Joseph O’Bryan married. She later joined his medical practice, O’Bryan Family Medicine, and for nine years filled the role as his RN. Once becoming a mother to Fiona and twins, Declan and Elowen, Ella’s attention turned to them and they became her main concern. A high achiever and competitor, she enjoyed snow skiing, traveling and golfing with her husband and family.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Joseph M. O’Bryan and their children, Fiona Kathleen O’Bryan, and twins, Declan Louis O’Bryan and Elowen Louise O’Bryan; mother, Virginia Hayden Mapes and husband Dale of Paducah; father, David Hakanson of Niceville, Florida; brothers, Lee David (Jackie) Hakanson and their children, Madeline and Kyle, of Niceville, FL and Luke Edmund (Danika) Hakanson, serving in the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany; maternal grandmother, Mary Louise Hayden; one uncle, three aunts and their family; mother-in-law, Frances O’Bryan; and seven brother and sisters-in-law and their family.
A funeral mass will be held at 12pm Saturday, December 1, 2018 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church with Rev. Brad Whistle officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4-7pm Friday evening at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
Contributions to support the future education pursuits of Ella and Joseph’s children may be made to any Paducah Bank location or you may contribute to Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation (tnbcfoundation.org).
You may leave a message of sympathy or light a memorial candle at milnerandorr.com.
