Miriam Brennan

November 20, 1952 - August 16, 2021

Woodside, NY

Miriam Brennan, accounting professor at Baruch College in Manhattan, NY, passed away Monday, August 16, 2021, after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 68. Miriam died peacefully at her home in Woodside, New York, surrounded by her loving daughter, Michelle, and her beloved friends Peter Thoune and Iza Moreno.

Miriam was born November 20, 1952, in the Bronx, NY, to Orlando Marrero and Elodia Marrero (Lopez), and grew up in Elmhurst, New York. While living in Elmhurst, Miriam met and fell in love with Lope Chaves, who lived just a block away. The two married August 7, 1970, and later welcomed their first child, Daniel Lope Chaves, in February of 1971.

Even as a young wife and mother, Miriam pursued a college education, first attending La Guardia Community College, where she graduated, with honors, with an associate’s degree in business management. She attended the graduation ceremony with her 4-year-old son on her lap. Four years later, a daughter, Michelle, was added to the young family.

Miriam continued on with her education, and, after overcoming many hurdles, she earned a bachelor's degree (Magna Cum Laude) and two master’s degrees—in accounting and finance— from St. John’s University in Queens, NY.

Miriam was a savvy investor, who began purchasing real estate while still attending college. All told, she eventually acquired a multi-unit property in Woodside, Queens, NY, a commercial-residential building in Brooklyn, NY, and a duplex in Miami, FL.

Throughout her life, Miriam devoted herself to educating others in the art of accountancy, becoming an assistant dean at Bramson Ort College, while working as a corporate accountant during the day. She was a force to be reckoned with throughout her career and continually climbed the corporate ladder. At the time of her passing, Miriam was an Accounting Professor at Baruch College.

Miriam and Lope eventually divorced in 2001. She continued to focus on her career in education and as a real-estate investor, and later met Paul Brennan, a locksmith she hired to change the locks in one of the buildings she owned, and they married in 2004. They divorced 10 years later.

A diehard animal-lover, Miriam was known to have multiple dogs and cats that she treated like beloved children. She had numerous interests and hobbies, including bargain-hunting, traveling, attending concerts and musicals, and helping to rescue cats.

Miriam had boundless energy, and was a supportive colleague and a caring and loyal friend. She was intensely proud of her children and grandchildren, and spoke of them with the exuberance of a true fan.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Michelle, her son-in-law, Daniel, her three grandchildren, Elijah, Gabriella, and Isaiah, and her brother, Raymond. Her beloved son, Daniel Lope Chaves, passed away in July of 2016 from colorectal cancer.

A memorial service will take place for the family on Saturday, August 28, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, Miriam’s family asks those who loved her to donate in her memory to the ASPCA, or to adopt a pet in need of a forever-home. 💜