Mary E. Brehm

Mary E. Brehm, passed away very peacefully with loved ones next to her side on Sunday, July 7, 2019.  She was a long-time resident in Northville, MI, but started her life in Buffalo, NY, when she was born on May 22, 1928 to Gunard and Mary (T. Rothery) Ottos.  She attended St. Mary’s School for the deaf after she became hearing impaired from scarlet fever at 2 yrs. old., which was a blessing because her loss of hearing would eventually lead her and our dad to find each other.  She was united in marriage to Charles F. Brehm on May 26, 1951 and soon after, they started a family with a total of 7 children.  They spent over 55 years devoted to each other till he passed-on in 2006.

The love Mary kept closest to her heart was her family and friends; ask if she had a second love, everyone would say it was Coffee!  Not only did she enjoy life, she was also very artistic.  In her earlier years of marriage, she enjoyed the art of designing women’s clothes and enjoyed sewing.  She made some of our clothes and made quilts.  When she had more children, she had a kiln in the basement so she could make her pottery while washing clothes.

As her children got older, Mary enjoyed using more of her creative abilities in paintings, sculptures, and gardening - growing both vegetable and flowers.  She always tried to involve and show people how to do what she could do.  Her warmth made people feel welcomed and invited…like part of the family.  During family free time, she enjoyed playing games to relax.  You could always find some cards or board games laying around, especially Scrabble.  Her face would light up anytime she would see animals – deer, pet dogs, rabbits, turtles – always loved to watch them enjoy her yard!

Mary truly loved nature and experience the world, so traveling was her adventurous side.  So, we would find ourselves packed-up in the station wagon driving across the states, visiting people, seeing landmarks, and/or setting up camp somewhere.  Other times she was traveling to another country, so fun loving, she even put on a wet suit and rode the back of a waverunner/watercraft in her later 70’s!

Even though she could not hear; she was sensitive to everything around her and was able to dance to the vibrations of music she could feel with her heart and soul.  She truly had a warmth, a smile that reached out like rays of sunshine, along with a great sense of humor, along with her selflessness and generosity!  She was always the first to volunteer to give someone a laugh, a smile, and a wave.

Mary is survived by her children Kathy (Lou) Borland, Kendall Brehm, Karla (Roger) Donawa, Kevin (Judy) Brehm, Rose Francis, Lily (Tom) Albrecht, and Chris (Marie) Brehm; her 16 grandchildren:  Louie Borland, Brett Borland, Scott Brehm, Emil Brehm, Nick Brehm, Kenny Brehm, Samantha Shuster, Rob Oginski, Susan Adkins, Corissa Price, Madison Price, Brooke Price, Brandon Albrecht, Kurt Albrecht, Ashley Walker, and Josh Brehm; and her 18 great grandchildren:  Alex, Sabrina, Cassie, Callie, Caty, Isa, Skyler, Hazel, Evie, Mary Jane, Kenny, Jacob, Skye, Madison, Emma, Nick, Roman, and Andie. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother James Ottos, and her sister Kay Barone.  She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend that will never be forgotten!

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 19th from 4pm - 8pm at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap Street, Northville, MI  48167. The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, July 20 ^th at 11am and she will be instate from 10:30am - 11:00am at Our Lady of Loretto, 17116 Olympia, Redford Charter Twp., MI  48240.  Father Mike Depcik will officiate the service.  Following service, she will be laid to rest at Rural Hill Cemetery, 215 West Seven Mile Rd, Northville, 48167

Donations and/or flowers would be appreciated. Donations to either: Our Lady of Loretto, 17116 Olympia, Redford Charter Twp., MI  48240  or DEAF C.A.N. , 2111 Orchard Lake Road, Suite #101, Sylvan Lake, MI  48320.  Recommended Florist shop:  Hartland Flowers.  Orders can be placed @ www.hartlandflowers.com .  If need to call the florist, phone # is:  1-810-632-0632