Mary Ellen Brinson

Mary Brinson, better known as Nana, has been a resident of Redondo Beach since 1943 when her parents moved from Mount Ida, Arkansas with her and her brother Wayne Scott. Hoping to find work, her family moved Grapes-of-Wrath style and landed in south Redondo. She eventually moved to North Redondo with her first husband and raised her two children, Steve and Donna. She was a jack-of-all-trades homemaker but also worked at many of the different factories in El Segundo. She finally found her calling as a supervisor at Hughes Aircraft. She raised her next two children (her grandchildren), Lisa and Sandra, who gave her the apple of her eye, Tyler Marie - the great-granddaughter. She married Dave, the love of her life and second husband, and they both got a second chance at life. They went on dates every week, played honky tonk music and danced in the kitchen. She calls to him everyday. Her kitchen table has been the center of the neighborhood and if you want a coffee cup and something to eat, you better come in and help yourself because she doesn't wait on anyone. Her neighbors are her family. She played canasta with her "ladies" for nearly 50 years once a month. It's been awhile since so many have "left the table." She could beat just about anybody in a game of dominoes and make fun of you while she does it. Video poker is really where she had those long hours of fun. The hillbilly accent never left her and her laugh is contagious. She is generous in all ways, especially in her comments. She is good, but not so sweet and that is why she must always have her Twinkies nearby, to keep her relatively sweet, or else you don't know what could come out. We will miss your nana-isms. But mostly we will miss the way you loved us all and they way you took care of us. all.