Maria Ortuno Brennan, an antiques dealer who owned The Grand Acquisitor in East Hampton for 20 years, died on January 20, at Southampton Hospital, following an extended illness. She was 74.
During her 40 years in East Hampton, Ms. Brennan was active in the community, especially with the East Hampton Ladies Village Improvement Society. She was a former chairwoman of the society’s House Committee and deeply involved in the Landmarks Committee.
Survivors said she loved her life in East Hampton, was a generous friend, and enjoyed the camaraderie of gathering together to celebrate life. She was strong, independent and resilient, they said.
Ms. Brennan was born on September 20, 1939, in West Palm Beach, Florida, to Manuel Ortuno and the former Mary Stender. She was raised in West Palm Beach, Habana, Cuba, and New York City. She attended Holy Child Academy in New York and Marshall College in West Virginia before graduating with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree with honors from Hunter College.
She was married on April 21, 1963, to John Brennan. In addition to her loving husband of 51 years, Ms. Brennan is survived by a brother, Manuel Ortuno of Texas.
A service will be held Thursday, January 30, at 11 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in East Hampton. Burial will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978.
on Jan 27, 2014