Mary Storm Westbrook

Birth date: Feb 16, 1954 Death date: Jun 11, 2018

Mary Westbrook, 64, of Spotsylvania County, passed away at home early on Monday, June 11, 2018. Born in Corpus Christi, TX, to Evelyn and Joe Plaza, Mary attended Baylor University and the University of Michigan. In 1978, she ven Read Obituary

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Susan Barnes

387w ago

It was an honor to be Mary's friend and to serve with Mary on so many school committees for Spotsylvania County. Mary had an ability to see beyond the dates and numbers to consider the students first. She made many wise contributions to the calendar committee and to the Courtland High School Principal's Advisory Committee. Mary was one of those parents who always came to conference night even though both of her daughters were magnificent students. After Joanne graduated I enjoyed many pre-conference dinners with Mary. She always brought gum or mints so I would have "fresh breath" for conference night. Mary made each day count -- she was always ready to help or to just share a smile. I loved her stories about Texas, child raising, and music. I will miss her book recommendations and her sense of humor. She lived with grace and courage. I was not able to attend the memorial service on Saturday, and I want to let Mary's family know that they are in my thoughts and prayers.

Judy Gomez

387w ago

in honor of Mary.

A large, lit white candle with a subtle wax drip on a beige background, accompanied by a white and pink paper flower on the right side.

Marian Mccabe

388w ago

Mary was a tremendous help to me when I had a little part time job at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library on Caroline Street in Fredericksburg in the late 1990s. Every week I came to her with questions, and questions, and more questions! She always answered me with complete grace and unending patience. I am now a volunteer in the Virginiana Room at the Fredericksburg Branch, and I think of dear Mary always. May she rest in peace, and may the Lord comfort her family. God bless you.

Ashleigh Dembowski

388w ago

in honor of Mary.

A lighted pale blue candle with a small white flower and a few leaves at its base, set against a soft blue background.

Polly Reetz

388w ago

I remember what a wonderful time we had on our "sister road trip" in 2006 - Mary, Betty and I took off from Houston and drove to Corpus Christi, to deposit our mother's ashes in Corpus Christi Bay, then drove up to San Antonio to find our grandmother's grave in the old Commerce Street cemetery (amazingly, we did!). We stayed overnight in a hotel that used to be the City Jail - no ghosts though. Spent the morning along the Medina River remembering our childhood vacations near Bandera, then back to Houston to put Betty on the plane home, after which Mary and I careered through east Texas up to Amarillo to meet our cousin Chris. From there we went back to Houston via Waco, where we stopped in the Public Library to look up events from 1923 - Mary's skill as a librarian shone! What a family history trip!
We had a great time reminiscing and avoiding traffic jams on I-45!

Another memory from Mary and Betty's trip to Colorado in October, 2015: hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, we came right up on a bull elk and his harem. We decided to proceed VERY QUIETLY and cautiously, and the elk only watched us curiously, thank goodness. A great sister road trip, again, this time to Amarillo to visit our grandmother's old house, newly and beautifully restored by David Horsley and his wife - Mary made this all possible with her irresistible charm and organizational skills. We spent the night with the Horsleys, but sorry to report, no ghosts appeared (one had been reported).

The memories from both of these trips, and many others, are a comfort now.

Sharon And Lyell Wilson

388w ago

We are so sad to hear of Ms. Westbrook’s passing. We have admired her kindness, her genuineness, and her talents. We celebrate her life

Deb Carter

388w ago

So very sorry to hear of Mary's passing, but I know that her peace with Christ is a comfort to all of her loved ones. She was one of the kindest, most sincere persons I've ever been fortunate to have known. Prayers for all of you. God bless.
Deb Carter

Gail Young Shelton

388w ago

Mary was one of my roommates in the 4-person room on the second floor of Allen Hall at Baylor. She was one of the two who made her bed every day. (I wasn’t.) She was quieter than most of the rest of us, but she was also the one who forgot to let go of my feet the night I got thrown in the fountain (full of dead crickets—ick!) for my birthday. Then there was the night she decided we needed to paint one of the towers being rebuilt to go on Old Burleson Hall. The tall pyramid shape looked like a mechanical metronome to her, so she rousted the four of us out, plus a couple of suite mates and a few others, we collected our black spray cans and ventured forth after dark but before curfew. (Yes, there was still curfew at Baylor back then, in the darkish ages.) The tower had plywood on one side, and 1x4s like a ladder up the other sides. I painted the stripe up the middle—slightly crooked because my arms weren’t quite long enough. Mary painted the numbers, because she could remember what the numbers were supposed to be. And we climbed the fence back to safety and snickered when we heard everyone blaming the NOZE Brotherhood for the “crime.” They were blamed for 15 or 20 years after we graduated. Until I wrote in to the alumni magazine, the Baylor Line, and claimed responsibility, naming names. Mary also sang at our wedding, choosing A Common Love. We had so much fun, so long ago. Loved her and feel blessed that she was a good friend.

Elizabeth Hensley

388w ago

I first met Mary working at Central Rappahannock Regional Library. She was always so helpful on the information desk. Years later, after I had left, I returned and worked for her as a volunteer cataloger. Mary was intelligent, patient, kind and caring. She was full of grace. The light of the world has dimmed with her passing. May your memories of her bring you peace, comfort, and strength as you grieve. I am so sorry for your loss. ~Elizabeth Hensley

Judy Webster

388w ago

I knew Mary when I worked at CRRL. She always had a kind word. When I struggled, Mary was there for me. She has a special place in my heart and I will remember her as a role model. Judy Webster

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