Agnes Brewer, 101, greeted visitors with a smile and cookies

Agnes Marie O’Leary Brewer, 101, passed away on October 31, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, aunt, and neighbor. A big smile and a batch of fresh chocolate chip cookies greeted every visitor who came to her home.

Agnes was born on October 15, 1922. The daughter of Charles & Mary Ellen O’Leary, she was one of twelve children. As a youth, she helped on their dairy & tobacco farm and was very proud of keeping up with her brothers by milking the cows and hitching up a team of horses.

She was a 1941 graduate of Janesville High School and worked at the Parker Pen Company until she married Ralyn F. Brewer on August 25, 1945. He predeceased her on September 1, 2011, after 66 years of marriage.

Together, they built a busy & active family farm in Roscoe, Illinois. She was delighted in her limestone house, where she lived for nearly 74 years. She loved hosting the neighborhood weekly “Coffee Ladies,” where she crocheted many baby blankets and apparel.

Agnes was a dedicated parishioner of St. Peter Catholic Church for 78 years and an active Altar & Rosary Society member, donating dozens and dozens of deviled eggs to the funeral luncheons.

She belonged to 4-H as a teenager and carried on the tradition with her daughters by serving as a sewing leader for the Owen Blue Bonnets 4-H Club for over 30 years.

The Brewer family would like to extend special thanks to Rev. Fr. Romeo Pavino, who delivered the Eucharist to Agnes at her home for the past two years, and to their mother’s care team led by Konnie Say, and including Laura Karls, Eren Mabulay, and Linda Campbell.

Survivors left to mourn her loss are her five children: Bill (Kathy) Brewer, Joyce (John) Werner, Don (Mary) Brewer, Larry Brewer, and Becky (John) Sayles.

Sixteen grandchildren: Robin Liu, Alex (Jill) Brewer, Jason (Laurie) Werner, Teresa (Don) Wolf, Robbie (Amy) Brewer, Jeff (Elizabeth) Werner, Tony (Rachel) Gilbert, Rae Ann (Gary) Webb, Andy (Apple) Brewer, Courtney Brewer (David Nelson), Gretchen (Josh) Kamps, Dustin (Onna) Brewer, Teddy (Melissa) Brewer, Joel (Kristin) Werner, Philip (Andrea) Sayles and Patrick Sayles.

38 great-grandchildren: Kimberly, Reba, Beverly & Eric Brewer; James & Sam Brewer; Malachi & Vienna Werner; Jacob, Claire & Isla Werner; Gavin & Ian Werner; Austin, Christian & Ryan Liu; Kelsey (Andy) Frye, Elijah, Micah & Noah Brewer; Owen Dingler, Grady & Everly Wolf; Keira, Kaylee & Scarlett Brewer; Josh, Grace, Faith & Josiah Gilbert; J.D. Link & Ian (Hannah) Link; Carter, Ellie-Mae Agnes & Marshall Nelson; Lily Brewer; Sam & Henry Sayles. 

One great-great-grandchild, Kayden Link, and another is on the way.

She is further survived by her sister-in-law, Marion O’Leary, and many nieces and nephews who loved her bright smile and positive outlook.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, Charles & Mary Ellen O’Leary; 11 brothers and sisters, Jim (Mary) O’Leary, Chick (Mary Katherine) O’Leary, Marge (Jack) Connor, William O’Leary, Mary Ellen O’Leary, Catherine O’Leary, Vernie (Conrad) Oleston, Betty (Malcolm) Cullen, Tom (Colleen) O’Leary, Dick O’Leary, and Harry (Barb) O’Leary; father and mother-in-law, Walter & Charlotte Brewer; brother-in-law Herb (Shirley) Brewer and sister-in-law Roberta (Gerald) Davis; and beloved nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at McCorkle Funeral Home-Rockton Chapel, 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd. Rockton, Illinois, on Thursday, November 9, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A funeral Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church, 620 Blackhawk Blvd South Beloit, IL, on Friday, November 10, at 10:00 a.m., with a visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the church.

Memorials can be made in memory of Agnes Brewer to St. Peter Catholic Church, 620 Blackhawk Blvd, South Beloit, Illinois, 61080.

Agnes reflected on life by saying the secret ingredient is always LOVE ….. and butter!

Visit this link to share memories and stories in photos: https://mccorklefuneralhome.com/obituaries/agnes-brewer

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