Mary Ann Brooks, 84, passed away Friday, December 16, 2022 at Bridle Brook Assisted Living & Memory Care Community in Mahomet.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 10:30 am Tuesday at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Ronald McDonald House.

Mary Ann was born August 23, 1938 in Effingham, the daughter of Clarence and Myrtle (Stephens) Thies.

Mary Ann graduated from Effingham High School and attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where she earned her teaching certification and met her husband, Jerry Brooks. She taught English, speech, and drama at Lyons Township High School, the College of DuPage, and Lakeland Community College in Effingham.

She loved theater and performed in and directed shows at SIU, the Theatre of Western Springs, the St. Nicholas Theater in Chicago, and with FACES in Effingham.

Mary Ann is survived by her daughters, Julia (Richard) Spahn of DeKalb and Michelle (James) Gough of Mahomet; four grandchildren, Claire Spahn, Natalie Spahn, Richie Spahn, and Owen Gough; step-grandchildren, Connor and Hannah Gough; and close friend Paul Hawkins.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Victoria; brother, Jack Thies, and sister, Jeanne Huelsbusch.