Margaret Josephine Brooks

BRADLEY—It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret J. Brooks share the news of her passing at the age of 102. She was born on January 26, 1914 in Bradley, the daughter of Frank and Mary Ann (McKenzie) Severance, and she passed peacefully in her home, where she had lived for 78 years, on January 5, 2017 surrounded by her two daughters.

Margaret was known for her sweet, caring nature and humble approach to life. Fondly referred to as “Grammy Brooks” by many, she will be greatly missed by family members and friends, who she loved dearly.

Margaret was valedictorian of the Orono High School class of 1931. After marrying Walter Brooks, by whom she is predeceased, she enjoyed being a homemaker and mother and, after Walter’s retirement, traveling the country in their Winnebago. At the age of 95, Margaret was honored as the eldest citizen of Bradley and presented with the Boston Post Cane. She was a faithful member of the Bradley Baptist Church and the Ladies Gideon Auxiliary.

In addition to her husband, Margaret was predeceased by her daughter Barbara Murray, grandsons Donald and Matthew Lancaster, and brother Elmer “Hap” Severance. She is survived by her two daughters, Lorraine Herzog and her husband Robert of Mesa, AZ, and Audrey Wilcox and her husband Charlie of Bradley; son-in-law Paul Murray of Bangor; 5 grandchildren, Walter Ouellette, Susan Valencia, Brian Wilcox, Bruce Wilcox, and Paul Murray Jr.; and many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be conducted at 3PM on Sunday at Birmingham Funeral Home, 438 Main St Old Town, where friends and family will gather from 2PM until time of service. A private burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Bradley. Memorial contributions can be made to the Bangor Humane Society 693 Mt Hope Ave, Bangor, ME 04401 https://bangorhumane.org.