Marie Annette Baird

October 22, 1938 – January 9, 2018

Forever in our hearts

Marie Annette DeBrouwer entered this world on October, 22, 1938 in Santa Ana, California, and left this world on January 9, 2018 in Huntington Beach, California; passing at the age of young age of 79. She was born to Victor Francis DeBrouwer and Mary Jane McKinzie DeBrouwer; and, was the eldest of four children.

She was a voracious reader of books, a video game enthusiast, and a crossword puzzle fanatic. She would typically read more books in a week than some read in a year. She would read books from all genres, but had a special love for Mystery. The fictional character Hercule Poirot from the Agatha Christie novels, also being of Belgian decent, was one of her all-time favorite characters.

She loved telling stories of her experiences and adventures in life. These were crazy, unbelievable, and sometimes traumatic stories involving her siblings, her parents, her best friend Bonnie, other family members, or about the years she suffered with the nuns while attending catholic school. And, even though many of the stories were dramatic and trying, she found humor in these stories that carried her on for years. Her exuberant laughter was contagious.

One of her most favorite stories was from 1974 when she played in the “Mama’s Bowl.” The mothers of the young Junior All American Football League players gathered together for a friendly charity game of tackle football. It was so friendly, in fact, that Marie earned the nickname of “Killer!” The coach wanted her to play both defense and offense since she was great at both, but she found a home playing center. Her big play of the game was the quarterback sneak, where she got to launch the quarterback over the pile of bodies and into the end zone for a touchdown. Her experience, provided plenty of stories and a few “football injuries” to go along with the stories.

She worked as a youngster at her father’s auto wrecking and used car business, finding at a young age that she had a strength in bookkeeping and office management. Later, she found her way to another family business later in life working at DeBrouwer Brother’s Roofing, where she was fortunate enough to work with all of her siblings and some nieces and nephews. Over her lifetime she ran many businesses, even her own heavy equipment rental business during her marriage to her ex-husband, called Marlan Construction. The last business she helped manage was a high-performance racing engine company called FAT Performance. She eventually retired from FAT Performance in 2004 at the age of 65.

Known for her generosity, she would give you the last dollar from her wallet if she found you in need. And, whenever there was a gathering, you could always have faith that Marie would bring a bucket of chicken or order some pizza to get the party started. Soon, that short visit would practically be turned into an all-nighter with lots of laughter.

She was preceded in death by both parents and her youngest brother, Victor Francis DeBrouwer, Mary Jane McKinzie DeBrouwer Saxon, and Victor DeBrouwer. Her brother, Victor, left this world on January 2, 2018, at the young age of 71, exactly one week prior to Marie joining him on the journey.

She is survived by Son and Daughter-in-Law, Mark and Jackie Baird of Escondido; Daughter, Shelley Dolney of Huntington Beach; Granddaughter, Alexandra Dolney of Bloomington; Grandson, Joseph Dolney of Huntington Beach; Brother and Sister-in-Law, Ray and Ginette DeBrouwer of Laguna Hills; Sister, Darlene Burford of Costa Mesa; and Sister-in-Law, Charlene DeBrouwer of Las Vegas. She is also survived by extended family members who have been a big part of her life, her Ex-Husband, Orlan Baird of Corona; her Daughter Shelley’s Boyfriend, Michael Stevens of Eagle Rock; her Granddaughter Alexandra’s Boyfriend, Matthew Andrews of Bloomington; and, a large number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close family friends. Of special mention, she is also survived by Peter and Maria Gomez of Huntington Beach, who are more like family than neighbors and were always ready and willing to lend a helping hand right up through her final days.

Marie’s wishes were honored to be cremated without a memorial service and have her ashes spread at sea. Her final remains were laid to rest on February 2, 2018 off the coast of San Pedro California. Her family celebrated her life during an intimate dinner shared at her favorite restaurant on February 3, 2018.

Marie (aka Mimi, Nana, Mom) will be greatly missed, but her family finds comfort knowing that she was loved by so many. Although we will no longer hear her contagious laughter or see her warm smile, she will no longer experience any suffering or pain. And, her memory continues to live in all the lives she touched.

***Those we love can never more than a thought away, for as long as there is a memory, they live in our hearts to stay ***