Mary Jane Weinbrecht

Mary Jane “Maloney” Weinbrecht, our amazing mother and grandmother, passed peacefully from this earth and into her Heavenly Father’s arms, in the early morning hours of March 8, 2023, with family by her side.

Mary Jane was born in Brooklyn, NY on January 2, 1940, to Joseph and Jeanette (Negri) Maloney. She grew up with her older sister, Joan, and her younger brother, Joseph. Mary was a tomboy and fiercely protected her younger brother from any neighborhood bullies by threatening to smack them around if they bothered him.

Mary attended St. Brigid Grammar School and graduated from Bushwick High School. Mary was the life of the party and the leader of the girls she grew up with. She loved to go out dancing. In fact, after a long night of dancing, she would ring a bell by her bedside that would alert her mother that she was awake. Upon hearing the bell, Jeanette would bring Mary some orange juice and would rub her feet as they talked about Mary’s previous evening. Mother and daughter were very close to one another.

Soon after high school, Mary started working at the Rheingold Brewery as a head secretary. It was at the brewery where she met a handsome young man named Raymond Weinbrecht. Although the family tried to warn Ray about Mary and her stubbornness, Ray was smitten with Mary’s beauty and proposed to her while she was in Hawaii, by writing a mushy love letter professing his eternal love to her. She said, “YES!”

Ray and Mary were united in Holy Matrimony on October 27, 1968, at St. Brigid Church in Brooklyn, NY. The first song they danced to as husband and wife was, “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra. Their wedding was the party of a lifetime, as both Ray’s mom and Mary’s mom danced together on the dance floor, celebrating the marriage of their precious children!

While living in Brooklyn, Mary became a mother to her daughter Julie Ann and then later to a son, Thomas John. In 1973, the family moved to sunny Santee, CA. They continued to expand their family with the addition of two more sons: Joseph Peter and William Raymond.

Mary worked several jobs in California, including being a secretary for an eye doctor and then working as a teacher’s aide at Carlton Oaks Elementary. Her children were not fond of her working at their school as it prevented them from misbehaving and skipping class.

She loved attending her children’s sporting events, mainly baseball, and is remembered for wearing a baseball hat with a rose on it. Sadly, this hat was “misplaced” by one of her sons (who will remain nameless) after one of his baseball games. Mary was an avid reader and visited the library weekly. She would fall asleep with at least three different AM/FM radios by her side. She also gave the best back scratches whenever her kids asked for them. Mary loved to shop until she dropped, attending numerous swap meets and any store advertising a SALE! She had a whistle that would stop her children in their tracks and let them know it was time to go! One past time that Mary did not indulge in, although living near the beach, was actually going to the beach. She said that the beach was miserable, because sand would get into places where sand should not go. She enjoyed the beautiful sunsets instead.

Mary’s greatest treasure in life were her grandchildren. She loved spoiling them and receiving updates on their activities. She had no less than 20 pictures of each grandchild on her coffee table.

Mary and Ray lived in their Santee, CA home for over 48 years and were married 52 years before Ray’s passing on May 9, 2021. Upon Ray’s death, Mary moved to Las Vegas, NV to be closer to her brother Joe.

At her assisted living facility, Mary began to thrive. She found strength and independence and began attending weekly church services, watching movies in the theater with her friends, listening to live music in the atrium, participated in Silver Sneakers exercise classes, played a little Bingo, joined a book club, and tried arts and crafts. Her favorite activity, though, remained SHOPPING! She loved when the Paparazzi Jewelry woman would visit. She would take her pocketbook to the lobby and fill her walker with jewelry! The staff at Silver Sky nicknamed Mary, their little Sour Patch Kid. She could be stubborn and naughty...but then so terribly sweet. Mary was doing well until she fell last summer. This fall greatly impacted her and Mary’s health began to decline. The highlight of Mary’s day was when her best friend, Margie, would come to feed her and take care of her. When Mary’s needs became too great for her to remain at her assisted living facility, she was moved into a loving group home. For the last two and a half weeks of her life, Mary enjoyed her new home and her new friends, especially her caretaker, Kim. Mary was doted on and loved on by everyone at her new home until her final breath.

Mary is survived by her daughter Julie and husband Wes; her sons Tom (Hollie), Joe (Charlene), and Bill (Traci). She was a loving grandmother and Nana to Chris, Christian, Justin, Josh, Leah, Trevor, Russell, Art, Samantha, Brandon, Chase & Liam. She is survived by her brother Joseph. She was welcomed to Heaven by her loving husband, Ray, her parents, her sister, Joan, and a Great-Nephew James.

We will miss Mary’s sense of humor, her New York personality, her laughter, and the amazing way she loved each one of us. Momma, we know that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, this is not “Goodbye” rather, it is “We will see you again.” Until that day when we can hear your voice, join you in your laughter, and listen to your great stories, we promise to love each other, continue to make you proud, and hold on to our faith in God. Fly high with the Angels momma. Rest in Peace

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