Marie McCandless Brennan
April 10, 1952 February 19, 2017
Marie was born on April Tenth in 1952 to Eugene McCandless and Kathleen Owens in San Francisco. She died suddenly after an intense illness early Sunday February 19th surrounded by immediate family. She is survived by her loving husband of thirty years Alan Brennan and by her siblings Kathy (Bill), Gene (Marla) and Michael (Annie) as well as her adoring nieces and nephews Billy, Sean, Katie, Owen, Monica, Jessica, Andy, Louise, Joan, Abby and Jesse. Marie was a proud, loving and involved Aunt, she leaves them knowing they were beloved.
Marie attended the Star of the Sea School on Geary Boulevard and Cathedral High School in SF after which she took up nursing. Begenning with the Licensed Vocational Nursing program at Galileo Adult School. Marie moved to Fortuna and enrolled at College of the Redwoods where she earned an AA degree in nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She worked a few years at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka before returning to the Bay Area to work around nursing positions before settling at Seton Hospital in Daly City. She loved to learn and teach, she returned to SFSU and earned a Bachelors of Science Nursing. Later Marie continued her education by earning a Clinical Nurse Specialist in order to teach in the field. She nursed and taught in Seton’s ICU and then Cardiac unit for 39.5 years.
Marie was an inveterate traveler, throughout this country and abroad. Some of her favorite destinations were Italy, Ireland, Hawaii, New England, the Alps, Greece and Egypt. She especially liked the river cruises in Europe, Bicycle trips in New England and loved to ski anywhere there was snow! Marie was a fan and supporter of both the San Francisco Opera and Ballet companies. She was an active member and avid player with the Coastside and Pacifica Tennis Clubs.
Marie will be remembered for many wonderful things, beginning with her contagious smile and generous hospitality - hosting ever so many family and friends for holiday and celebratory events in her lovely home in Moss Beach. She lived her life fiercely and with total commitment. She loved Alan, her Family, her Friends and San Francisco. We are, every one, better for knowing her!
Marie loved her volunteer hours with kittens at the SPCA. Her Family wishes that any donations be made to your local SPCA.
Marie’s Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., at St. Ignatius Church, on Parker and Fulton, in San Francisco on Friday, March 10th. The Mass will be followed by the interment of Marie’s ashes at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma.
Celebration of Marie’s Life will be held in Half Moon Bay at the Odd Fellows Lodge, 526 Main Street from 1 to 4 PM on Saturday March 11th.