Mary Ann Cregan Brewer

Mary Ann Brewer, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend entered eternal rest on August 15, 2026.

She was born on December 8, 1946 in the Bronx. She was a 1965 graduate of Saint Pius V, an all girls Catholic school. The friendships made there lasted a lifetime.

She met the love of her life, William “Bill” Brewer on a blind date. They dated briefly and eloped on December 14, 1965, before he deployed to Vietnam with the U.S. Navy.

They traveled across the country and settled their family in Gulfport, MS in 1979. She retired from Hancock Bank after 26 years as a Branch Manager after Bill’s passing in 2003.

In true fashion as a New Yorker, she moved to Florida to retire. She made new friends, found new hobbies, and continued traveling. But Gulfport was home and she returned to be with family.

Mary Ann loved to dance, travel, bowl, and laugh until it hurt. She had a love for interior decorating, redesigning her home over and over. Shopping was mandatory and the best sale won. And if talking was a sport she would place first. She was the epitome of a wife and mother, instilling values and unconditional love. She will be missed and loved always.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Brewer; her parents, Morgan (Lillian) Cregan and Ann Dwyer-Cregan; her brother, Morgan Cregan; parents-in-law, Orville and Mabel Brewer.

She is survived by her daughters, Dawn Walters, Diane Burkhalter (Tot), and Danette Souder (Frank); eight grandchildren, Matthew Walters, Morgan Barnes (Holden), Billy Lehman (Kenny), Michael Lehman (Inna), Dana Parker (Jesse), Kaci Ward (Josh), Jonathan Souder (Shyanne), and Landon Souder; and nine great-grandchildren; her sister and best friend, Kathy Ellis (Bob) and sister-in-law, Tammy Cregan. She also leaves an abundance of nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the Summerhouse @ Bay Cove especially Tracy, Alexus, and Joulia and staff and Deaconess Hospice especially Dakota and Mike. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 12 - 1 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 pm in the church. Interment will be on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 10 am in the Biloxi National Cemetery.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.