Rapids Michigan to George Maierhauser and Ethel Engel Maierhauser. After completing high school she attended nursing school and received her LVN. She
married John Brifnek and they had two children. John was killed in Germany during World War II. She moved to Auburn, California with her two children and her
sister’s family. There she met and married Ernest K. Sharrah, had one son, and they later divorced. She then married Danilo ‘Doc’ Santini on May 24, 1957. One
son was born from this union. Doc passed away July 2, 2012 after celebrating 55 years of marriage. They worked and raised their family on the ranch in Ophir
where they sold fruit and eggs. Mary worked as a nurse at Highland Hospital and later at Auburn Faith in Auburn, CA. In their early years, they were very active in
the Forty Niner’s Fruit Trail. Later in life they were very involved selling fruit and eggs in the Auburn Farmer’s Market. Mary used her talents in doing all the
bookkeeping and preparing taxes for the family ranch. As the family grew, Mary was very active in 4H. She loved teaching cooking classes to the youth. She could
play the piano and was very artistic. She won awards in High School for designing logos and other art competitions. She had a lifelong love of quilting and knitting.
In her later years she loved Bible study classes and church attendance she shared with friends. She was a very devoted christian. Mary is survived by her three
sons, John (Berdeen) Brifnek, Michael (Dena) Santini, and David Santini, five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her
parents, a brother and sister, and one daughter, Joan Brifnek Berry. The family would like to extend their gratitude and sincere appreciation to Oakwood Village, Dr.
Vaughan and his staff and Green Valley Hospice for their care of Mary. Mary’s family and friends will be holding a graveside memorial Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 at
11:00 am at the new Auburn Cemetary, to celebrate her life, the strength of her character and the love we share for her. Arrangements have been entrusted to
Chapel of the Hills, Auburn, CA.
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