This month's Your Town Hero story looks back on the legacy of a Traverse City woman who had a passion for improving the community and the well being of others.
TRAVERSE CITY -- Family and close friends of Mary Jean Brick say it's as if Traverse City has lost one of its greats.
"Traverse City was her, there was no question about Mary Jean Brick and Traverse City, they two went together," says friend of Mary Jean's son, Ross Childs.
Mary Jean Brick was born and raised in Traverse City. She was a wife, a mother and a grandmother. She also held countless hats, ranging from random acts of kindness, to volunteering in community events, even being named Grand Traverse Area Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year" at one time.
But one of her most recognizable achievements is the Community Living Center in Traverse City. Created in 1975, the non-profit organization provides housing and support services for adults with disabilities.
"She had this passion for an understanding for the trials and tribulations these people go through. Then also the supporting families. The comfort that it affords them to know that their loved one is living a great life," says Mary Jean's son, Tim Brick.
It was Mary Jean's wish that people with disabilities be immersed into society, since one of her own sisters and oldest son suffered from a disability.
"She felt everyone should be treated with respect no matter their economic or social background or abilities or disabilities...There was no such word as 'can't in her vocabulary. She would never take 'no' for an answer. It was just temporary things," says Mary Jean's son, Bob Brick.
The one problem she was forced to accept though was being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in November 2009.
"I was expecting her to be distraught but was up temp and was going to deal with it," says Tim Brick.
Her sons say right up until the time she passed away, the day before Christmas, Mary Jean was committed to improving society.
"Her contributions were focused on all things other than herself. She was for the city, she was for the Living Center, she was for the Catholic Church, the hockey team, she was for everything, everything but herself," says Childs.
"Two hours before she passed, she said to her grand daughter, she needs to get a secretary because she's not getting everything done," says Tim Brick.
One thing she did get done for sure, was impacting a community and a family that continues to cherish her legacy.
"We're going to miss her, the whole community is going to miss her. Even the people that she never met and didn't know her, they're going to miss her," says Bob Brick.
