Obituary of Mary Roberta Brandt
Mary Roberta “Bobbie” Brandt, 67, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017 as a flurry of snowflakes fell outside the window of Sundale Nursing Home, Morgantown, WV. She fought a courageous battle with Ovarian Cancer for almost three years.
Mary was born in Baraboo, WI on Nov 1, 1950 as the daughter and second child of Robert L Brandt & the late Jeanette (Chamberlain) Brandt of Boscobel, WI. Later in life she chose to use her nickname “Bobbie” for fun and to match her gift of conversation and the “Chamberlain” gene for story telling.
Mary began her undergraduate work at the University of MD in 1969, but enjoyed working a variety of jobs along with taking a mix of classes better. In 1973 she started her first major career at the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftsman in Washington, DC. She became a computer programmer, senior document control clerk, and Shop Steward for the local union.
By 1981, Mary received a top secret clearance to work at Honeywell Federal Systems, Inc of McLean, VA as a NASA Account Representative responsible for the sale, ordering, processing, and installation of hardware and software at NASA sites in California and Florida. While at Honeywell, Mary met the love of her life, R. Timothy Marton. Tim even had a star named for her. "Mary’s Snowflake" of course!
It was Tim’s encouragement that made it possible for Mary to go back to school and complete her undergraduate work at George Mason University where she graduated with honors in 1988. She earned her J.D at the West Virginia University College of Law – Morgantown, WV in 1991 at the age of 40!
Mary put her writing skills to work as a writ clerk for the Supreme Court of Appeals in Charleston, WV, then joined her husband in Arizona. She was admitted to the Arizona State Bar and served as legal consultant to a local computer company.
Mary and Tim traveled the world, but she dearly looked forward to the yearly "Sisters Vacations" which began after her mother's passing. Mary played mother hen as her sisters dallied photographing and taking in sites, especially while in Italy.
Mary and Tim returned to Charleston, WV where she worked for the State College and University Systems as Senior Assistant Attorney General. Mary successfully represented state colleges and universities and litigated before the Supreme Court of Appeals of WV. In 1998, Mary accepted a new position as Associate General Counsel at WVU, and ultimately twice served as Interim General Counsel. She also served as ADA Coordinator/Associate Director of President's Office for Social Justice. With her compassionate nature and sense of "right thing to do" and the law on her side, she was able to accommodate over 300 students with disabilities and served as Adjunct Lecturer, supervisor, and mentor for third-year law students in the WVU College of Law, Clinical Law Program. After retiring from the University Mary continued to work in the Clinical Law Program.
Mary loved taking art classes and explored a variety of artistic media that appealed to her. This included water color painting, sketching, mixed media and printing. She became actively involved with the Morgantown Art Association serving as president and gallery director. A prolific Artist, Mary filled her home with her paintings along with giving and sending handmade cards to friends and family members.
Mary was also on the Board of Directors for Empty Bowls of Morgantown helping to serve the needy. She was a member of the PEO chapter W of Morgantown, sharing her kindness to all and supporting the sisterhood’s annual scholarship fundraiser by donating her water color cards for sale. Mary received the kindness of this PEO group as they arranged transportation and loving support while she underwent cancer treatments. Her best friends, neighbors, and Gamers group also made it possible for Mary to live "Her Way" and the family will be forever grateful to all.
Mary is survived by her father Robert L. Brandt, USAF Lt.Col. (retired) and spouse Bette of OH, sister Cynthia A. Poole and spouse Russell of MD, brothers Robert L. Brandt, Jr. MD of OH, Steven J. Brandt, USAF Lt.Col. (retired) of FL and sister and brother in laws and a “plethora” of cousins, nieces and nephews across the country. She was preceded in death by her mother Jeanette Brandt and sister Teresa Stinson and her loving spouse Timothy Marton.
A "Celebration of Life" with her SNOWFLAKE theme, will be held from 3:00-6:00 pm on Saturday, Jan 13th, at the Hotel Morgan, 127 High St, Morgantown, WV.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the WVU Law Clinic Endowment Fund #3V270, at WVU Foundation, 1 Waterfront Place 7th Fl, Morgantown, WV 26507 or to the charity of your choice.
Condolences & Remembrances: hastingsfuneralhome.com