Mary Ann Brunick

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to my precious sister, Mary Ann Brunick. She was a dear friend to her boyfriend, Adam, her baby Sadie, and lots and lots of good friends, many of whom were like family. Mary Ann was born in Annapolis, Maryland on February 13, 1969 to Patricia Ann Sheldon and Herbert Roy Sheldon, Sr., who have gone on before her. Mary Ann leaves behind nieces, uncles and cousins.

As a small child, Mary was always full of life, passion and adventure. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t try. Growing up, she loved deep-sea fishing with our dad and dancing in a troupe at my mom’s dance studio for many years. Her love for dancing continued when she was at gatherings and parties with her friends and family. There wasn’t a song she couldn’t dance to. She excelled at everything she did, whether it was school, a dance performance, or flying planes. Mary Ann attended Embry Riddle College in Florida and chose various careers in aeronautical engineering, flying, and software engineering. She moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in the early 90’s and held various careers at the Federal Aviation Administration, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and eventually as an independent contractor for Sandia Labs as a software engineer. She loved each of her jobs and mastered them all.

Her adventurous side took her up steep slopes to ski and snowboard, snowmobiling and off-roading in an old jeep on our dad’s property in Virginia. She also went deer hunting and rifle shooting. There wasn’t a rapid she wouldn’t white water raft or a helicopter ride that wasn’t too intense. Camping and boating were also on her top to-do list. She did it all.

Mary Ann lived life to the very fullest ... every minute of every day, none to be wasted, each was too precious. Mary Ann also loved gourmet cooking and her skill to recreate any recipe by taste can be attested to by anyone she cooked for. She was the most excellent chef and never used a recipe – just a pinch of this, a handful of that. Just ask anyone who has had the privilege of feasting with her.  Mary Ann also loved crafts. She decided she wanted to knit, so I taught her the basics and soon she started knitting hats and scarves for her friends and family. Mary Ann’s creativeness also was exhibited in her oil paintings, homemade bath salts and soap.

Mary Ann was born a loving, caring and generous child, and that carried through her entire life. She never met a stranger. All who had the privilege of meeting her are never going to forget that feisty little thing and her never-yielding passion for life. Her smile sparkled, her laughter was contagious, and you ended up doing exactly what Mary Ann wanted – and happily, I might add.

In this celebration of Mary Ann’s life, she wanted lots of laughter and lots of Mary stories – funny, endearing, sometimes sad, but always memorable, with lots of passion and love, and never-ending adventures.

Her spirit will never be diminished; she will always be in our hearts and fondest memories. When diagnosed with Scleroderma, the disease that eventually took her life, she continued to stay positive. She fought a strong fight with her head held high, even when the times got tough and unbearable. We will all miss you dearly Mary Ann. I am just so sorry your life was too short. Nonetheless, you gave us inspiration through your life, your love, your strength, and your never-yielding passion to make the most of every single moment. Blessings to you my beautiful sister.

Please visit our online guestbook for Mary Ann at www.FrenchFunerals.com.

FRENCH – Westside

9300 Golf Course Rd. NW

(505) 897-0300