New York Times Writer's Cheerful Obituary for Mother has People Crying and Laughing

Dr. Maureen Brennan-Weaver Caity Weaver New York Times obituary Caity Weaver Obituary Cheerful obituary

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Jun 25, 06:17 pm

Photo: (Photo : VINCENZO PINTO/AFP via Getty Images)

New York Times writer Caity Weaver has written a masterful obituary for her mom that is making people cry and laugh at the same time. The journalist's tribute, which is now going viral on social media platform Twitter, tells the story of her mother, Dr. Maureen Brennan-Weaver, a coupon-clipping, six-foot-tall podiatrist with a cackle that crashed through rooms.

Weaver shared in the obit that Dr. Brennan-Weaver could not stop herself from buying shoes for patients if she spotted just what they needed while shopping. She added that her mother categorically did not do house calls, except for patients that she really liked. She said that of these patients, there were so many she had to set aside whole days for house calls.

Weaver also mentioned that her mom occasionally accepted homemade baked goods as payment for her services. She described her mother as a pathologically generous woman who clipped coupons for diapers and left them in the grocery store baby aisle. She added that her mom employed a skilled housekeeper at one point but found her a more lucrative job.

Weaver recalls her mom's funny ways in obituary

Weaver wrote more about her mom's kindness, "If you mentioned a thing you liked, she'd get you 11 when she found them at a great price. When a young nephew wished for a plastic microscope, she found him a real one (at a great price) and painstakingly prepared hundreds of slides for his study."

Brennan-Weaver was an avid gardener, according to her daughter. In lieu of sending flowers, the family is asking people to plant a little something in her memory. Weaver wrote, "Please also be aware (in her memory) that garden centers mark perennials down to unbelievable prices in the fall."

Brennan-Weaver died on June 14, at her home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, according to Today. Weaver said her mom died before discovering what, if anything, she was afraid of. Essayist Laura Leigh Abby can't get enough of Weaver's tribute to her mom, writing on Twitter, "This is the most joyous obituary I've ever read. Sending love and light."

Hollywood actress Mindy Kaling also sent her condolences, writing, "I am so sorry for your loss. And for the whole world's loss! Your mom sounds fabulous."

Who is Caity Weaver?

Caity came to the New York Times back in 2018 and has principally worked for Styles since then, writing memorable pieces that answered existential quandaries such as "Can We Learn Anything From Horses?" and "What Is Glitter?" and also anchoring the hilarious column "Work Friend."

During that period, Caity also wrote occasionally for the New York Times Magazine. According to the mag, each of Weaver's stories has been its own singular delight, starting with her cover story on Maya Rudolph in 2019.

She also traveled across the United States by train for a wonderful, quotable story in the Voyages Issue that serves as a nice reminder of the open horizons and sociability of the pre-pandemic times. Those pieces helped Weaver land a permanent role as a staff writer for the Magazine in February of this year.