Miriam "Mim" Frances Brennan

Miriam “Mim” Brennan, passed away peacefully on Friday February 3rd, 2023, with two of her devoted daughters at her side. A dedicated Catholic for her entire life, her family is comforted by the certain knowledge that her faith led her confidently into her eternal joy.

Miriam Brennan was born Miriam Frances Knight on October 17th, 1928, in the Boston area, and grew up on Wollaston Beach. As the child of Richard J Knight and Catherine O’Neil Knight, Mim was part of a large Irish Catholic extended family. To her children, who regularly made the family pilgrimage to Quincy, it appeared she was related to the entire town, which was basically true. It was the love, safety, and joy of that extended family, shared with brothers Dick and Jim Knight and their cousins, that defined her youth. Those extended family ties remained strong throughout her life, as did that unique “Southie” accent.

Mim’s mother valued education greatly and Mim was graduated from Emmanuel College. She put her skills to work in a Boston office where in 1952 she worked for a handsome Air Force Lieutenant, William J. Brennan. Mim the Boston Southie and Bill the Jersey boy married in 1953 and remained as one until Bill’s passing in 2012, a total of 59 years. We are sure they are one again now.

Bill’s career with Exxon determined much of their lives, leading to Mim’s departure from the Northeast and everything she’d known at a time when Texas still sounded like the wild frontier. Mim embraced all that her new life had to offer and grew deep Houston roots. After educating their 4 children through college degrees, Mim and Bill traveled extensively in Europe and Asia.

Mim was the mother to 4 children who were all raised with a strong basis in Catholic faith, a sense of personal responsibility and the love of family. She had 5 grandchildren all of whom spent many happy times at “Mimi’s” home. Mimi did Christmas particularly well and those Christmases will echo with her children and grandchildren forever.

Mim was an active member of St John Vianney Parish for over 50 years serving as Eucharistic minister, participating fully in the women’s club, the Charity Guild of Catholic Women and practicing devotion to the rosary. The women with whom she shared these experiences and mutual support were an important part of her life until her passing. The church and parishioners that she loved returned that love and cared for her in a profound way.

Mim loved playing bridge, and a good golf game, or even a not so good one, with family and friends. After cooking great meals for her family for many years, she became a serious restaurant fan and could have managed well as a restaurant critic. Her reviews were regularly given, requested or not. She loved to sing and shop and did not require a special occasion to do either.

In the later years of her life, Mim rose to the challenge of blindness and its resulting limitations with grace. She redefined her life in a way that was often positive and uplifting and inspired her children and grandchildren to continue to enjoy her company. She was blessed to meet her 2 great-grandchildren who she truly saw with her heart.

Mim said she also gained another daughter, and the Brennan family will always be grateful to Barbara Petty, caregiver for both Mim and Bill for over 14 years. The family would also like to thank Antoinette Huggan, Awa Jammeh and Sadie Hunter for their devotion to Mim’s care.

Miriam Brennan is survived by her 4 children and their spouses, Nancy and John Janet of Atlanta, GA, Peter and Cathy Brennan of Charlotte, NC, and Kate and Warren Shetrone and Paula Brennan of Houston TX. She will be missed by her 5 grandchildren Laura Janet Gravesen, Reese and Kerri Shetrone, Shannon and Ryan Brennan and her 2 great-grandchildren Tate and Hadley Gravesen. A Funeral Mass for Miriam Brennan will be celebrated and open to all on Thursday Feb 9th at St John Vianney at 1pm.

Miriam Frances Knight Brennan, your name is written in the Book of Life. Be free and send your Heavenly Sight and Blessed Light down upon us. Amen.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialoaksfunerals.com for the Brennan family.