Maizie Brandt

Brandt, Maizie Brown Age 83, passed on the 19th of September 2013, following years of battling Alzheimer�s Disease. Maizie was born in Alma, Georgia . She was the loving daughter of Joseph R. and Anna Belle Brown, who both preceded her in death. She was married for 54 years to Lt. Col. John S. Brandt, who also preceded her in May of 2009. Maizie is survived by three beloved children: Bonnie Belle, John William and Joseph Michael, as well as John�s wife, Mary. She leaves four grandchildren, from her son John and his wife Mary : John R., William, Shelby and Andrew, as well as John R. and his wife Kaitlin Chase Reese�s son, her great grandson, Ian Blake Brandt. Her brother, Paul N. Brown, preceded her in death and she is survived by Miriam B Tucker, her sister, J. Ronald Brown, her brother, and wife, Pat as well as sister in law Geraldine Brown. She also leaves many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Maizie grew up in Alma and Waycross, Georgia. Her maternal grandmother�s family had a farm in Georgia, where she had many good memories of her times with her siblings and many cousins. Maizie learned to cook and sew at an early age. She learned to make her own clothes and also, generous of spirit and love, made dresses for her cousins and in particular, for her sister Miriam, with whom she had a special and loving relationship all her life. She graduated from Wacona High School in 1946 at 16 years old. After attending Massey Business College in Jacksonville, Florida, she earned an associate�s degree in business. She worked various jobs, including joining the US Air Force, becoming an Airman First Class. She met and married John S. Brandt from New York, an Air Force Fighter Jet pilot in April of 1955. She enjoyed the life of a military wife, lovingly raising three children and moving all over the United States, and even living in Japan. Retiring from Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, she and her family enjoyed many years in Santa Fe, NM. During this time frame, after brushing up on her secretarial and business skills, she re-entered the workforce becoming a Vice-President at an Abstract and Title company. She also enjoyed several years as a Toast Mistress. Thereafter, followed a short stint in Albuquerque, NM to enjoy the births and early years of her grandchildren. She also continued to work with Gladden and Associates. After many short vacation trips to southern Colorado, Maizie and John moved to Durango, Colorado. There, they enjoyed their mountain home and the surrounding beauty of that area, and treasured their many friends in Durango West II and the friends and fellowship at First Southern Baptist Church. During this time, Maizie and John enjoyed short trips all over Colorado and to the coasts of Oregon and Washington and even Alaska. They enjoyed the seafood and watching the waves crash in from the ocean. Maizie enjoyed a life long relationship, full of love and laughter, with her sister, Miriam B. Tucker of Tampa, Florida and for many years traveled with her and their respective daughters, Bonnie and Leigh Ann, going to Europe annually. Maizie enjoyed many international trips with her daughter Bonnie, as well as with her son, Joe. Maizie had a zest for life, kind and generous of spirit, showering love on those around her. She enjoyed and valued her Bible studies and her Baptist faith all her life. She had many hobbies, some of which included oil painting, reading, cooking, sewing and also developed a love of quilting. She hand made quilts for her children, grandchildren, siblings and nieces. She won the first place prize for her hand-stitched Baltimore quilt at the Silverton Colorado festival. Besides her husband, the joys in her life were her children and her grandchildren. Through her son John and his wife Mary, she delighted in learning about her grandchildren and watching them grow. She had a competitive nature and thoroughly enjoyed her board games with her grandchildren, looking forward to every visit during summers, vacations and holidays. She shared ice cream and laughs and found great joy in the unique special characteristics of each grandchild, treasuring them each, one by one. She also got to laugh, share treats and play ball with her great-grandson, Ian�who gave her laughs and joy during the last years of her battle against Alzheimer�s. He never failed to make her smile. Even as Alzheimer�s Disease stripped her of her memories, Maizie maintained her sweet southern personality and always had a kind word for those she encountered daily. She was a giving, compassionate and charitable woman with a quick and pretty smile and a great sense of humor. She lived the remainder of her life in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We recall a story from our Father, who tried to teach her how to pump fuel at a gas station, so she could do it herself. After she �accidently� spilled gas on his shoes, she turned up her southern accent, smiled coyly and apologized, stating: �Honey, there are some things a southern girl just does not do�and pumping gas is one of them�. Thus our Dad filled up her car for the rest of his life. Mom�you were one of a kind and a true �Georgia Peach�! We will miss you and your words of wisdom, the love and laughter you gave us all your life will reside forever in our hearts and souls and guide us as we move forward. Maizie�s interment with military honors will be held September 27, 2013 at the Santa Fe National Cemetary, preceded by a short viewing at Daniel�s Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Lt. Col. John Selden Brandt. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer�s Association of NM at: Alzheimer�s Association NM Chapter, 9500 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111. Condolences may be left online in the guest book at www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 505-821-0010