Maryann Frances BrandonDeceased: May 8, 2018
Service Information:Celebration of Life Memorial Service Sunday, July 22nd
|
 |
Obituary
Maryann Frances Brandon, age 80, of Chicago passed away May 8, 2018. Loving wife of the late Richard Charles Brandon (2015); amazing mother of the late Dawn (David) Williams, April Holtzman, Melody Blackburn, Forrest (Kimberly) and Franklin (Janet); treasured grandmother of 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; daughter of the late Herbert C. Dony and Marion Carlson and sister of the late brothers, Tom, Jim, and Herbert (Pinky).
Maryann - The little lady with the red hair who was full of spunk! She was named for her Grandmothers Marie and Anna. Frances was her Godmother's name. Her nick name meaning kitten was Mutzy.
Maryann was considered the hugger. If you entered her world you would always be given a hug as a greeting and a good-bye if you liked it or not. She had a quick wit and a rye sense of humor, and was known as the "Crafty Lady". She had little tidbits of information that she would share. She called these her useless trivia. She was a people person, without a prodigious toward anyone.
Maryann lived her whole life in Chicago. She was the eldest child and the only girl of four. She grew up poor but proud and hard working. At a young age she started working to help her family. Her first job at the age of 10 was in a hospital setting up meal trays. She was very close to her Grandma and would take 3 buses to help her in the bakery.
Maryann met her husband (her Richard) at the Logan Square Boys Club were they both volunteered. She was 16 and he was 18 years old. She liked to say "I chased him until he caught me". They were engaged on her 18th birthday (July 16th). They married on December 23, 1955. They lived in an apartment for 10 years. Then moved to the house on Richmond street where they lived the rest of their lives. This neighborhood was always like family and she knew everyone. Continued...
Messages
-
The house on Richmond street was a home filled with love. She worked hard to provide her children things that she did without growing up. There was always home cooked meals and a big pot of soup on the stove. She shared the world of culture, arts, nature, environment and community. Holidays and parties were always extra special times.
This home became her place of work where she was a day care provider for 312 children. She called these children her "Little People", they knew her as Aunt Maryann. She was very full-filled with this chosen profession. When asked how old she was, she always answered 105! Even though she wasn't really 105 she packed 105 years into her 80 years of life. She was always the person to jump in and help where needed. She was both a Girl and Boy Scout leader, PTA president, very involved at the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club where Richard worked, an active member of 2U Unitarian church, the Buddhist Temple of Chicago and volunteered for countless causes in her community.
Maryann never met a never met a stranger and would connect with her neighbors, hairdresser, doctors, pharmacist, mailman, checkout clerks, her children's friends etc etc.... These people became friends. If you were her friend then you received a Christmas card and a birthday card for the rest of your life. She loved to reach out to people with the mail so they knew they were in her heart and thoughts.
Her wish for the future is: "Peace". Peace be with you as you reminisce about this amazing woman.
To quote her: "Smile, It makes people wonder what you've been up to"
In lieu of flowers, donations to Bright Dawn Home Spread- 4524 N. Richmond St. Chicago, IL 60625 - are most welcomed.
Celebration of Life Memorial Service
Sunday, July 22nd
Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club
2501 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60618
Open house with light refreshments provided by friends and family
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Memorial Service at 3:00 pm
Please dress for the weather,
the clubhouse main room is not air conditioned.
Info – Lakeview Funeral Home, 773-472-6300 or www.LakeviewFuneralHome.com. -
I just spoke to her 3 weeks or so ago and am sad to know that she has passed, but know she is with Richard once again, where she wanted to be.
Do you mind letting me know if you have a memorial or Funeral? If possible I would like to be there. She was such a special woman. You are so lucky have her and I was lucky to be her neighbor!
Margeret Walker
