When she left college, she worked as personal assistant to Rhys Barker at Treadwell Gordon.
She married the late Michael Booker from Waverley, and both were members of the Kaierau Club. Mrs Brien also played netball for Tech Old Girls.
The couple moved to Taihape before heading to the Wairarapa.
Mrs Brien's daughter, Amie Booker, spoke to the Chronicle about her mother, describing her as her "voice of reason".
"Mum was an awesome and very strong woman. She was like my best friend and we spoke every day, sometimes three times a day.
"I would call her and tell her I needed my voice of reason. She would say 'Oh, Amie, what have you done?"'
Mrs Brien had remarried five years ago and moved to Christchurch to be with her husband Geoff, eventually working for the police in the Child Protection unit.
"Mum loved her job and was very highly regarded, but due to the graphic nature of working with child abuse victims, it was compulsory to visit a clinical psychologist."
On February 22 last year, 55-year-old Mrs Brien perished in the CTV building with the psychologist.
Ms Booker said the next day she was on the first flight into Christchurch when the airport opened.
"I wanted to be close to mum and stayed down at the site every day.
"We had our own little tent and they cooked for us throughout the day."
Mrs Brien's funeral was held in Christchurch.
