Marjorie Jeanne Brinkley

Marjorie Jeanne Brinkley (nee Hayden) passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, at the age of 103. She was born to Ruth (Weaver) and Clare Bryan Hayden on March 21, 1922, in Walker Township, Kent County, Michigan, outside Grand Rapids. She graduated from Ottawa Hills High School and Michigan State University and later received her master’s degree from Rollins College.

During World War II, she married Daniel A. Hester and had her only child, Leilani. After the war ended, the family moved to Winter Park, Florida. For the next 54 years, Jeanne remained in Florida, where she pursued a career in education. She taught adult and secondary school classes until she was promoted to Curriculum Specialist in the Orange County school system. During this period she was remarried to William A. Brinkley.

She later joined the supervisory staff in the Florida State Department of Education and the faculty at Florida State University. At this time, she began writing textbooks published by McGraw-Hill and Bennett Books. In recognition of her contributions in her field, she was named to Who’s Who in American Women.

Upon retirement, she returned to Winter Park, where she lived until she moved to Ithaca, New York, to be near her daughter and son-in-law, and later moved with them to Minnetrista, Minnesota.

She loved traveling, beginning with her first trip at age six when she and her family drove from Michigan to California on Route 66 in a 1928 Chevrolet. During her lifetime she visited all 50 states and 30 countries on five continents. She was also an avid reader, always eager to learn something new and pass that information along. Another favorite activity was playing bridge or board games with family and friends.

She was proud to be a ninth generation American and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. After her 100th birthday, she was asked to participate in a study at Boston University of people considered super-agers. This created a new interest and opportunity to continue contributing to society. As a final bequest she agreed to donate her brain for medical research at Boston University and other institutions studying the brains of centenarians.

She was predeceased by her parents and by her sister, Marian Hills of Grand Rapids, MI. She is survived by her daughter Leilani (Jack) Peck of Minnetrista, MN; her granddaughter Meredith (Gregory) Petouvis of Excelsior, MN; her grandson Jonathan (Deepa) Peck of Laurel, MD; great-grandchildren Andrew and Samantha Petouvis and Gavin and Jeremy Peck; cousin Judith Edison Paul of Wisconsin, Rapids, WI; and nephews Joseph Hills of Tampa, FL and Bryan Hills of Lansing, MI. She is also survived by Khursheed Khursigara, a beloved exchange student she and her family hosted in 1962, who she always considered her “second daughter.”

She was grateful for the loving care she received from family and from staff at Lake Minnetonka Shores senior living community in Spring Park, MN.

A family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Presbyterian Homes Foundation, or the charity of one’s choice.