WILMINGTON — Mary Burke Brooks (1961-2025) was born into this world on March 11, 1961, in Wilmington, Delaware, and she left us all too soon on May 22, 2025, at the youthful age of 64, from Bolivia, North Carolina. Mary was an unstoppable force, a whirlwind of energy that even her treasured Pittsburgh Steelers couldn’t rival.
Mary’s competitive spirit saw her storm through the courts as a four-year varsity basketball starter at Upper St. Clair High School, where she set school records for most points scored in a career for both boys and girls teams and earned WPIAL all-conference honors. Her prowess on the court earned her a scholarship at Point Park College, and after two years as a student athlete, she moved on to Penn State where she earned a BA in Journalism in 1983 and served as the sports editor of the Daily Collegian newspaper. After graduating, Mary made her mark as an on-air radio newscaster on the Jimmy & Steve in the Morning show on WDVE and worked with young athletes as a high school girls basketball coach back at her alma mater, Upper St. Clair.
In 1985, Mary took a trip down south, visiting Wilmington, North Carolina, only to be drawn by its beauty and culture enough to make it her lifelong home. She continued her radio career joining WGNI rising to general manager of the station before surprising everyone by shifting her talents to entrepreneurship with her own commercial building supply business, Classic Window & Door. Not one to rest on past accomplishments, in 2024, Mary completed an impressive 85-mile hike on the Camino de Santiago with her family, overcoming much physical adversity.
Mary’s true love, besides her family and her dog River, was the Grace United Methodist Church’s children’s ministry, where she served as a minister, mentor, and member of the beloved “Gracelettes,” sharing hours of activities, travel and laughter.
Mary was welcomed into eternity by her parents, Edmund and Laurayne, along with many cherished aunts, uncles, as well as her cousin Bob. Left to forever miss her are her children, Kristin Brooks and Mikey (Courtney) Brooks, grandchildren Laylah, Brody, and Ryleigh, brother John (Lisa) Burke, sister Kathleen (Brad) McHugh, and a host of cousins and friends who steadfastly refuse to let her memory fade.
A celebration of Mary’s wonderful, vibrant life will take place at 11 AM on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Grace United Methodist Church, 401 Grace Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. A celebration of Mary’s life will follow at the AView Rooftop Bistro at the ALoft Hotel, 501 Nutt Street, Wilmington, NC. It’s a guaranteed full attendance affair, so come ready to reminisce, laugh, and share a favorite Mary moment or two.
In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church or to Paws Place Dog Rescue in Memory of Mary Burke Brooks.
Arrangements are being handled by Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, located at 1535 South 41st Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403. Please direct your calls to 910-791-9099 and be prepared for a fitting farewell to a woman who knew how to live a life of faith, laughter and love. Mary, you were one of a kind and everyone’s MVP.
