Miriam Barnes Brennan of Ponte Vedra, Florida passed away peacefully on January 8th with her devoted daughter, Suzy, and son-in-law, Manuel by her side.
Miriam led a remarkable life. One month shy of 101, her solid values were cultivated while growing up in Huntsville, Alabama. She succeeded as a professional woman long before it was the norm, battling overwhelming health issues and overcoming adversity late in life. She was loved by many.
Born February 20, 1922, she was the youngest of three daughters born to Claude and Myrtle Barnes. She graduated from Huntsville High School and attended Huntington College, Droughans Business College and the Pittsburgh Institute of Art.
Miriam married Lt. Patrick Henry Brennan in 1942. The young couple resided in Montgomery, Alabama for five years where Pat completed his service at Maxwell Field Air Base. Upon Pat’s release from the Army, Hollywood Florida became their home where they made many lifelong friends. She was called Mini or Aunt Mini by those who loved her. Miriam was a member of “The Blood Sisters”, a group of eight dear friends who shared in heart moving experiences and were bonded for life.
Miriam saw a need for young couples to meet within her South Florida community and, with an attorney friend, organized “The Revelers Club”. Thirty young couples were invited to join this social club which held many popular, rollicking events over a period of fifty years.
In 1946, Miriam and her sister, Roshelle Walker, founded Sunnyland School. Its first location was on Miriam’s front porch, which easily accommodated the school’s first five students. But booming enrollment quickly necessitated a new location to facilitate the thriving business. Seeing the need for an active summer program in Hollywood, the sisters relocated the school once again with the advent of Sunnyland Summer Camp, comprising additional classrooms, larger playgrounds, and a pool.
In 1963, Sungate Academy was created and enrolled students from first through eighth grade. Sungate, under the guidance of Principal Barbara Terry, became a SACS accredited elementary school in 1975. After serving as Co-Director of Sungate for thirty-five years, Miriam sold her interest in the schools to her sister’s children. Miss Miriam, as her students affectionately called her throughout the years, was loved and admired long after her Sunnyland days by those she cared for and influenced. Nothing pleased her more in her later years than reconnecting with some of her former pupils and renewing special friendships, which occurred often. Roshelle and her family continued to operate the schools for an additional 25 years, for a total of 47 years, making Sunnyland the second oldest private school in Broward County.
Her second career began in 1971 when Miriam became one of Hollywood’s most successful and reputable real estate agents of her time, winning numerous awards for her accomplishments. In 1986 Miriam and Pat moved to Quail Ridge Country Club in Boynton Beach, Florida, where she continued to pursue her passion for real estate sales. Within a few short years, she was invited to become the Director of Sales for Quail Ridge Country Club Realty.
After the death of her husband, Miriam was reunited with her high school sweetheart, Will Halsey, Jr. She returned to Huntsville, Alabama to marry him in 1999. She was devoted to her husband throughout their marriage and thoroughly enjoyed life in her hometown. Miriam returned to Florida in 2014 and remained there until her death.
Always drawn to volunteer work that was connected to children, Miriam served as President of the Hollywood Junior Women’s Club, the Broward County Kindergarten and Nursery School Association and the Hollywood Florida Scholarship Foundation. She was appointed by Governor Claude Kirk to serve as one of five members of the Florida Public School Council.
Miriam was preceded in death by her parents and by Patrick, her husband of fifty-five years, as well as sisters Annetta Martinson and Roshelle Walker, beloved nephews Douglas Claude Martinson, Patrick Martinson, and five-year-old niece, Karol Martinson.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Susan Rivas (Manuel) and Patricia Bidwell (David), grandchildren, Jeffrey Perkins (Anita Colon), Patrick Rivas, Kevin Rivas and Caitlin Bidwell (Patrick Fitzgerald). She also leaves behind a devoted niece, Kathryn Martinson, numerous nieces, nephews, great nephews, great nieces and a dear friend and employee of over fifty years, Ethel Thompson.
Miriam wishes to be remembered for her love of children and great concern for abused and murdered children. In lieu of flowers, she requested that memorials be sent to The National Children’s Advocacy Center, 210 Pratt Avenue N.E., Huntsville, AL 35801.
Visitation will be Sunday, January 22, 2-4pm and 6-8pm with a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm at Landmark Funeral Home. Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be Monday, 11:00 am at Little Flower Catholic Church followed by entombment at Lauderdale Memorial Park.
Arrangements entrusted to Landmark Funeral Home, 4200 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood FL 33021, 954-989-8220.
