Mary Alice Brick

Mary Alice Spain Brick, of Clinton, died Wednesday, Dec. 12 in her home with family at her side. Mary was born in Petersville, Iowa September 29th, 1924 (feast day of St. Michael the Archangel, which she was quick to point out and always proud of) to Daniel and Alice (O'Farrell) Spain. She was the youngest of seven children. Mary left her home at a young age to live with a family in Clinton to help care for their children and attend St. Mary's High School, where she graduated in 1942. She entered nurse's training and received her R.N. degree from Mercy Hospital, where she also spent the last part of her training in San Diego, California caring for wounded servicemen at the Naval Hospital there. She returned to Clinton, met and fell in love with Joseph W. Brick. Together they raised four children and were married for 35 years until Joe Brick passed away June 9, 1987. Mary was an avid bridge player (pennies only) and belonged to six different bridge clubs; she also belonged to Tri-S, Daughters of Isabella, Mercy Auxiliary and Prince of Peace Parish. She loved to golf, bowl, and travel. She often recounted tales of trips she and Joe made to the Bahamas, Hawaii and New Orleans, as well as trips to California, Washington and Canada with her children. One of her most recent trips was a return to her favorite city, San Diego, for a Spain family reunion. At that reunion, Mary and her sister-in-law Connie Spain, both in their 80's, were continually questioned about family history. Why weren't we listening better over the years? Mary was a devout Catholic and her frequent attendance at Mass was rivaled only by time spent at the bridge table. Her strong faith helped carry her through all the joys, sorrows and adventures that life presented. Young at heart, tender, witty, selfless and always forgiving (her children could never go to bed mad at anyone, just as it was with she and her siblings growing up), Mary A. will be forever missed but always present in our memories and in our hearts. We love you! Mary is survived by three daughters, Molly Brick of Santa Monica, CA., Madonna Brick of Clinton, and Bridget (David) Kolpin of Seattle, WA, one son, Patrick H. Brick of Seattle, and three grandchildren, Molly Nora Kolpin, Luke Andrew Kolpin, and Margo Ann Kolpin, all of Seattle. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph, and all of her two sisters and four brothers. Visitation for Mary will be held on Monday, December 17th from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Lemke Funeral Home-Lyons Chapel, 2304 N. 2nd Street, Clinton. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 18 at 11:30 a.m. at Lemke Funeral Home-Lyons Chapel. Burial at St. Boniface Cemetery will follow. Pallbearers will be Michael Spain, Larry Spain, Danny Schmidt, Luke Kolpin, Peter Motroni, Sr., Peter Motroni, Jr., Anthony Motroni, and Jim Hilgendorf.