She was born on September 1, 1947, in South Nassau, Long Island, New York and moved with her family to Richland Center, Wisconsin when she was 3 years old.
She is predeceased by her partner, Ronald Lee Pluim; her mother, Marion Kay Breininger; her father, Gerald Joseph Breininger; her sister, Marcella Kay Breininger; and sister-in-law, Karen Breininger.
Maureen is survived by her stepson, Carl Douglas Pluim and partner, Teri Foley of Westminster, Colorado; her stepdaughter, Karen Marie Pluim and husband George Farah of Madison, Wisconsin; and sister-in-law, Jean Anne Hlavacek. Maureen is also survived by three sisters and four brothers: Daniel Breininger of Tomah, Wisconsin, Paul Breininger and wife Chris of Richland Center, Wisconsin, Mike Breininger and wife Christy of Richland Center, Wisconsin, Lynn Johnson (Breininger) of Charlotte, North Carolina and fiancé Stephen Roche, Laurie Breininger and husband Raymond Wilson of Lake Wylie, South Carolina, Beth Garcia (Breininger) and husband Ricardo Garcia of Anderson, South Carolina, Brian Breininger and wife Amy Jo Hardy Jacobs of Richland Center, Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews.
Maureen graduated from Richland Center High School in 1965, Madison Technical College associate degree in applied science in 1967 and the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in public administration. She worked in numerous financial and management positions for Wisconsin State Government, including Bureau Director of Motor Vehicles, Division Administrator for Unemployment Compensation, Division Administrator for Administrative Services, and a cabinet officer position for Governor Tommy Thompson as Director of the Wisconsin State Lottery.
Maureen changed lives every day. She had an insatiable thirst for the new. Whether it was horses, technology, photography, biking, or her other many hobbies, Maureen shared, or should I say pulled, those around her in. You could put up resistance, but it was futile. She was a first adopter of digital photography, the internet, the smartphone, and countless other innovations. She wanted everyone around her to have the benefit of these innovations as soon as possible.
Maureen’s partner of 30 years, Ronald Pluim, was her soul mate, and they enjoyed these hobbies together, as well as many family events.
When she moved to Windsor Run Senior Living in Matthews, she saw the need for a photographer for the resident directory and she took it on, taking photos that put hundreds of residents in their best light. She saw a need for residents to have help with smart phones, computers, and iPads and she created the Resident Technology Team. She saw a need for social media to connect residents and she created the Resident Facebook page. And then she wrote a monthly column in the community paper to spread the knowledge wider and faster.
An important part of Maureen’s life was her relationship with stepchildren Karen Pluim, Carl Pluim, and their partners. Maureen especially appreciated their love and support after Ron passed and right up to her death. She also highly valued her lifelong friendship and relationship with her sister-in-law, Jean Anne Hlavacek and close friend since high school, Patricia Nebel, as well as family members.
Maureen possessed the “Breininger Charm” which came from her Father Gerald Breininger. She had a smile big and bright that drew you in like a magnet. Her ability to connect with nearly everyone came from her ability to get to know you, understand your interests, and create ways to enjoy them with you. From interests as diverse as theatre, golf, biking, cooking, finance, genealogy, travel, scrapbooking, and gardening, to photography and horseback riding. And she didn’t just take these interests up, she went in “deep”. Learning everything about the activity, practicing, acquiring the best equipment, taking lessons, leading, and joining groups. You name it, she did it. Maureen was an unstoppable force. Her career spanned over 40 years of breaking barriers for herself and all the women who followed.
Maureen started as an Administrative Assistant in state government but rose to a management position in the Governor’s Cabinet. How? She worked harder than anyone, went to school at night for years, possessed the courage to challenge the way things were done, had a commitment to learning and improving, and reached out to a wide network of people. You could not tell Maureen it couldn’t be done. She would find a way.
Maureen began her long battle with cancer in 2014. She bravely fought melanoma, breast and ovarian cancer. Ten years ago, they predicted she would only live six months. She would not give up. To the very end she was researching possible treatments, working with doctors for creative solutions, joining blogs to study options, and trying everything and anything to survive. She beat the odds over and over.
Maureen held family dear, including the history of her family. She realized when her parents were older that so much history would be lost. First, she scanned thousands and thousands of historical family photos so that all family members could have a digital file of them. But she did not stop there. Maureen wanted to capture the rich and fun stories that defined the people in the pictures. So, she taped endless hours of family members’ stories. But now what to do? Maureen took up scrapbooking so she could link the pictures and stories in beautiful scrapbooks. Generations from now family will know their history because of Maureen’s hard work.
Maureen and her family invite everyone to a visitation and service on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Visitation will be from 10:00-11:30 am. The service to honor and celebrate her life will take place at 11:30 am. A luncheon will follow the service in the funeral home's Upper Room.
Memorial contributions may be made in Maureen’s name to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance at ocrahope.org, https://ocrahope.org/get-involved/donate; or by mail to PO Box 32141, New York, NY 10087-2141. To donate by credit card over the phone, call 212-268-1002.
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