Mari Elizabeth Brumm-Merrill
Mari loved art, music, theater, wine-tasting, reading mysteries, playing bocce ball, and spending time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren.
She applied her tenacious spirit, positive attitude and strong will to everything she undertook. She passed away surrounded by her loving family on Feb. 12, 2021, after four and a half courageous years of battling colon cancer. Mari grew up in Fresno, lived briefly in Chicago as a young adult, and eventually settled in the Bay Area. A variety of early jobs included modeling, bartending, and painting. She went into restaurant management and eventually found her passion, working for the City of Pacifica as the Senior Food Services Manager in 1989. She held several progressively responsible jobs in the city over 20 years, and concluded her career as the Director of Parks, Beaches and Recreation. After her retirement in 2008, she was able to devote more time to her first passion, art. Mari was a talented watercolor artist and also applied her artistic skills to making jewelry. After moving to Pacifica in 1989, Mari soon became a pillar of the community.
Besides her work at the Community Center with Meals on Wheels, programs for seniors, and providing food for local daycare centers, she was a dedicated volunteer for the Pacifica Democrats and served for many years on the board of Pacificans Care. She generously gave of her time and talents and was well-respected by all. Mari was awarded the Employee of the Year Award in 1995 from the city, and the People Who Care Award in 2018 from Pacificans Care. At her retirement celebration, the room was filled with friends and colleagues who showed up to honor her and show their appreciation for all of her good work in the community. Mari will be fondly remembered for her competence, honesty and generosity, her calm, caring, friendly demeanor, and her deep love for friends, family, and the city of Pacifica.
She was a loyal, supportive friend and will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Mari is survived by her brother, Jim Brumm, sister Vicki Koester, daughter Celeste Peralta, son-in-law Guillermo Peralta and her four grandchildren, Dominic, Cheyenne, Jayden and Dylan. There will be no formal funeral. Her place of peace was Rockaway Beach. Say goodbye to her there or visit and remember her. You can send donations in her memory to Pacificans Care: P.O. Box 875, Pacifica, CA 94044.
(0) ENTRIES
Sign the guestbook.
Log In