My auntie Mari-Lynn was a beautiful, courageous, joy-filled woman of faith. Her laugh was infectious, her possibility thinking inspiring, and her confidence in Jesus unshaken. 

My first memory came when Uncle Calvin, who attended Southern California Bible College near our Huntington Beach home, brought his girlfriend, Mari-Lynn over to our house to do their college laundry.  I always looked forward to their visits because it meant playing games way past our childhood bedtime. It was also my privilege to stand up in Calvin and Mari-Lynn's wedding as a junior groomsman.  

Through the years I always looked forward to vacations with the Brewers, I fondly remember trips to Disneyland, deep sea fishing excursions, and visits to their home when I was in college. 

Most recently, my travels would bring me to Southern California and on several occasions  Calvin and Mari-Lynn made time to meet me for dinners and breakfast at Kafe Royale.  Every time we would press in with prayer asking Jesus for Mari-Lynn's strength and healing. I so admired her attitude and spirit related to her 7.5 year battle with cancer.  I am sad that we were cheated out of more life and experience with her and yet I am happy she suffers no longer in the loving arms of her Savior.

I am so grateful for Auntie Mari-Lynn. I am sad and grateful and happy all at the same time.

Isla-Louise's favorite memory of her Mom-Mom is when we went to Disneyland in February 2019. She finally got her birthday gift, a trip to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where she was able to pick out her favorite Princess gown, have a magical makeover and meet three of her favorite Princesses. She says it made her feel special because of her Mom-Mom. 

Mae shares many traits with her Mom-Mom: her hair is the exact same texture, she loves the color purple, she knows what she wants decorations to look like and can execute that vision. We put her in charge of the Christmas decor last year and dubbed her "Mari-Lynn, Jr". 

Josiah's favorite memories with his Mom-Mom Mari-Lynn ("Mom-Mom" was his idea of what to call grandmothers when he was about 1) are Dodgers' games, Disneyland, movies and special birthday dinners. 

Pictures from our wedding day, October 2005. 
Mari-Lynn could make beautiful bows. If you ever received a gift from her, you know this. I asked her to create bows for the ends of the pews for our wedding. I remember her doubting herself and being worried they wouldn't turn out, but then, of course, creating incredible bows in our wedding colors. 

Meeting her second granddaughter, Isla-Louise. Isla was 5 weeks premature and had a NICU stay. We weren't prepared at home, but Mom-Mom Mari-Lynn made sure all the essentials were there by the time Isla was discharged. Isla-Louise has a hyphen in her first name to match Mari-Lynn's. 

Holding Mae, her first granddaughter, August 2008. Mari-Lynn gave Mae her middle name, Michaela. Michael is a family name and she found this spelling of the feminine form to keep the tradition going. 

Holding Josiah, her second grandson, December 2006. 


My life verse is Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  It is the verse I turn to day in and day out to focus and guide my thoughts and attitude.  It is the reason why I turned to the book of Phillipians when I started my own devotional and study time during my senior year of college. It is the one I most likely the first verse I ever memorized.  It is my verse because of my mom.  She took me to Missionettes and led our group at First Assembly of God in San Bernardino and Phillipians 4:8 was the motto of the Missionettes.  Because she chose to lead me and a group of other girls on Wednesday nights I remember that verse always.  In that group, I also had to memorize 1 Corinthians 13 and only managed to do so with her love and encouragement.  My relationship with Christ is all that I am and my mom cultivated the maturity of that relationship through her encouragement of studying and memorizing God’s word and I am forever grateful.

A few years after Missionettes she came home one day and sold me on applying to be a U.S House Page for the summer.  Though a summer turned into a semester, the experience matured and strengthened me more than I could have imagined.  I am forever grateful.  

My mom is the one who always made sure we celebrated and vacationed.  I saw Yosemite, Yellowstone, Carlsbad Caverns, Niagara Falls, so many beaches, and Kauai first because of my mom.  

My first day home with Ethan, she was there to calm me, take away my fears and show me the joy of a new baby.  

My first job teaching, she was there to help me set up my room and calm my fear. 

All these things I remember her for and I am forever grateful. I am so thankful for the awesome gift of her presence.

I may have  met Mary-Lynn personally one time but due to distance that was it. We became friends on Facebook through our family group page. She is my husband, Stan’s, cousin. We conversed through messaging on Facebook and she supported and encouraged me in my Pampered Chef business. She was so kind and I much appreciated our friendship, encouragement and support. I can tell she was loved by her family and many people and will be missed.

OBITUARY

Mari-Lynn Brewer

December 7, 1953 – February 9, 2021

Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary

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