Alicia O’Brien Eppler, 63, of New Canaan, CT passed away peacefully in her home on April 23, 2026 after a ~15-year battle with cancer.  Alicia was the devoted wife of Ed Eppler for 36 years, and the beloved mother of Cassie (married to Alex Giammarco) of New Canaan, Bea (married to Nick Bartlett) of Darien and Preston Eppler of London, England. She was known as “She-She” to her adoring grandchildren, Charles “Cross” Giammarco and Alicia “Chase” Giammarco.

Born on June 29,1962, in Norwalk, Alicia was the youngest of three daughters of Thomas O’Brien and Barbara (Lasher) O’Brien, and was a lifelong resident of New Canaan, CT. She attended West School, Saxe Middle School and graduated from New Canaan High School in 1980.  She graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1984, majoring in Economics. Following her graduation, she spent her 20s in New York City working at Chemical Bank, ABN Amro and Tiffany & Company.  In 1988, she met the love of her life.  Alicia and Ed were married on October 27th, 1990, at St. Aloysius Church followed by a reception at Woodway Country Club; and they promptly settled in New Canaan following their wedding.

 A gifted athlete and competitor, Alicia excelled at all racquet sports. In addition to her prowess on the tennis and paddle courts, Alicia was an avid golfer.  She also loved hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and reveled in the splendor of the Rockies.  Her “happy place” was spending time at the family’s second home in Steamboat Springs, CO.  Alicia firmly believed that nearly every problem could be solved with good sweat and fresh air.

Alicia's top priority was always her family.  She was the consummate matriarch and relished time surrounded by family.  She spent countless hours on the sidelines cheering her children on soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey fields, as well as at ice rinks, school plays and dance recitals.  Alicia donated her time and energy to causes and communities where she felt a special connection, serving as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, CCD Teacher and New Canaan Women's Youth Lacrosse Coach.

Her community of family and friends will remember Alicia for her vivacious personality, easy laugh, beautiful smile, and her amazing ability to bring people together - she connected people from all different walks of life and never forgot a face or name. She epitomized “grit & grace,” resilient beyond words; and she never let her disease stop her from living life to its fullest.    

Alicia is predeceased by her father, Thomas O’Brien and brother-in-law William Durand Eppler.  In addition to mother (Barbara), her husband and her children, Alicia is survived by her sisters, Kathleen McGoldrick of Stamford, and Stephanie Smith (married to Jim Smith) of Milford.  She is also survived by her husband’s siblings, Stephen Eppler (married to Vicky Eppler), Elizabeth Vidmar and Margaret Little (married to Dave Little), sister-in-law, Jean Scandlyn Eppler, as well as twelve nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at St. Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry Street, New Canaan, at 10:30 am on Thursday, April 30th, which will be immediately followed by a reception at The Woodway Country Club, 540 Hoyt Street, in Darien.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Memorial Sloan Kettering or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Alicia’s memory.

http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/aliciaeppler

http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/aliciaeppler 

The Family is being compassionately cared for by the staff at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main street, New Canaan CT 06840

For online condolences please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com