Mary Brevitz

Mary M. Brevitz, age 89, of Sparta, died on Friday, July 18, after a short illness. She was born on August 8, 1918. She was preceded in death by her husband, A. Keith Brevitz; her granddaughter, Anna Sarb; her parents, Dr. Hugh and Ethel Doudna; her sister, Ruth Doudna Whaley; her brothers-in-law, Chester Brevitz and Monroe Whaley; her sister-in-law, Cecile Brevitz; and her dear friend, Rose Williams. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ruth Ann Brevitz and Tom Sarb; her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Jo Brevitz; her son, Karl; her granddaughters, Elizabeth Sarb, Toni Larson (Eric), and Mary Jo Lindh; and her great-granddaughter, Erin Larson. Mary had a wonderful life. She grew up in Cadillac and had lovely memories of playing tennis, starring in high school plays, skating, sledding, and ice-boating on Lake Mitchell. After graduating from Michigan State University she taught art in the Sparta schools. She and Keith met when he presumed to add his input to the drawing class she was conducting in front of his store on Sparta's main street. Their romance began that day and never ended. Mary had an abundance of friends, and the ladies of her coffee group, Just Good Friends, were an important part of her life. She loved to read, and for several years she was a member of the Sparta Township Library Board and the Friends of the Library. She was an avid competitor and bridge player, and she loved board and card games of all varieties. She also loved sports, and she played golf past her 88th birthday, scoring a hole-in-one at age 75. She was expert at many types of needlework, and she loved to dance and to give and receive presents. Mary, small but mighty, dearly loved family, friends, pets and animals, and all of life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sparta Township Library or the Humane Society of Kent County. Visitation will be 7 to 9 p.m. Monday evening and 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon at Funeral Home. A private service for the family will be held later. Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home, Sparta