Mary Jane Brooks

Mary J. Brooks (1938 – 2024)

Mary Jane Brooks, 85, of Newburyport, MA, passed away on January 21, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family at home.

Mary was born on March 12, 1938, in Apollo, PA, the eldest daughter of Margaret (Pitoniak) and Joseph Naybor. She graduated from Bel Avon High School in Salina, PA in 1956. Mary moved to Boston and worked as an administrative assistant at Raytheon Technologies for seven years. She and her sister married best friends from Roslindale. In 1963, Mary married John (Jack) Brooks, and the couple had three children: David, Lisa, and Allison. Following their time in Marlborough and Westford, MA, the family relocated to Paris, France. Mary and Jack retired to Newburyport in 2004.

Mary dedicated her life to volunteering, exhibiting an unwavering commitment to serving others. She contributed selflessly to the AIDS Action Committee in Boston and, most notably, the Emma L. Andrews Library in Newburyport. There, she cultivated beautiful friendships, and her positivity and can-do spirit will be greatly missed.

Mary was preceded in death by her son, David Brooks, her parents, and her siblings Joseph Naybor, Patricia Smigliani, and Barbara Humbert.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, Jack Brooks, and daughters Lisa Brooks (James Beaupre) and Allison Heartquist (Mark Gunville), and her BFF, granddaughter Julia Heartquist. She was a cherished Auntie Mary to her many nieces and nephews. She loved her family and enjoyed entertaining, baking, painting, and traveling, but above all, she most valued spending quality time with her granddaughter.

Mary will be remembered for her kind, compassionate, and generous spirit, making friends wherever she went. No one was a stranger to Mary. Her ability to foster long-lasting friendships was truly remarkable. These many friendships proved to be a tremendous comfort during her final days.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 26 at 10:30AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 42 Green St, Newburyport. Visiting hours Thursday, January 25 from 4-7:00PM at Elliott, Woodworth & Rogers Funeral Home, 35 Green St, Newburyport. Interment on Saturday at 11:30 at St. Joseph Cemetery, 990 Lagrange St, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emma L. Andrews Library.