Mary Stivers Brainard

Mary S. Brainard (Stivers) passed away peacefully on December 26, 2023, from complications of pneumonia. She was born on August 5, 1940, to Eugene and Helen Stivers in Fargo, North Dakota. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs as the youngest of four children. Mary met her husband-to-be, Bob, in college, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority majoring in Home Economics. They were married on June 26, 1965, while he was in the Navy. Mary then received her master’s in Textiles from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where their first two children, Laura and David, were born. The family moved to Raleigh in 1971, and two years later, the last of Mary’s three children, Mike, was born.

Through the years, Mary was a mother, homemaker, devoted wife, and the backbone of the family. She was known as an excellent cook, incredibly crafty with a needle, a willing first mate on sailing adventures, and excellent with a ping-pong paddle. After the children were in their teens, she pursued teaching at Meredith College, holding classes in furniture refinishing, clothes construction, and sewing. After being abroad for 3 years in UAE, she and Bob returned to settle in New Bern, NC, where Mary was instrumental in designing and finishing of their riverside home. The house was a perfect reflection of Mary's family-focused living sensibilities and a welcoming and fun place much loved by the grandkids, especially during the summer “Grammy and Grampy camp” sessions. Both Bob and Mary were active members at Temple Baptist Church, where they led multiple mission trips and Tabernacle Baptist Church, while living in New Bern. In 2015, Mary and Bob moved back to Raleigh to be even closer to family and friends.

Mary’s life was shaped by her belief in Jesus Christ and living according to God’s will. Throughout the years, Mary and Bob were very active in the church in Raleigh, first at St. Mark's UMC and later at Providence Baptist, and lastly, when they moved back to Raleigh at Crossroad Fellowship. Their faith led them around the world on mission trips, including Nicaragua, Mexico, Uzbekistan, and three years in the United Arab Emirates. Mary has truly been blessed by our Lord, who has accompanied her through both sad and joyful times.

Mary is preceded in death by her mother, father, her brothers Tom and Larry, and her sister Martha Crossman. She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Bob, her three children, Laura Vanevic, David Brainard, and Michael Brainard, and six grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on January 5th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Family Room at the Cardinal, 4030 Cardinal at North Hills Street. Raleigh, NC. Mary’s Celebration of Life will be held on January 6th at 1 pm, in the Chapel at Crossroads Fellowship located at 2721 E. Millbrook Rd. Raleigh, NC, with the burial to follow at Raleigh Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to send donations in Mary’s honor to:

John A. Hartford Foundation, dedicated to improving the care of older adults, at 55 East 59th Street 16th Floor New York, NY 10022-1713; and/or

Duke Neurological Disorders Clinic - Research Division at Duke Health Development

Attn: Emily Espenshade 300 W. Morgan St. Suite 1000 Durham, NC 27701

Checks are payable to "Duke University" with "Neuroimmunology/3919684" written in the memo line.