Merle Maumus Brennen, age 94, passed away on December 13, 2025, in Monroe, Louisiana. She was born on March 22, 1931, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Marcelle Muller Maumus and Claude Maumus.

Merle lived in New Orleans for most of her young life. She graduated from Newcomb College of Tulane University, where she received a degree in Education and the Arts and was a member of Phi Mu Fraternity. She met the love of her life, Warren “Gre” Brennen, and they were married on June 3, 1953. They were happily married for 72 years.

In 1960, Merle moved to Monroe, Louisiana. She taught in private schools as a fourth-grade teacher and served as a librarian. During this time, she continued her education at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, earning a master’s degree in education.

After retiring from teaching, Merle traveled the world with Gre, both on their own and with friends. She was a member of Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church and a member of the flower guild; Chauvin Racquet Club (later the Monroe Athletic Club); Bayou DeSiard Country Club; Junior Charity League; Little Theatre of Monroe; Big Timers Dance Club; Monroe Symphony Orchestra; Monroe Symphony League; Monroe Garden Club; and Golden Girl Dancers of Monroe.

Merle served as President of the Monroe Symphony League for two terms from 1995 to 1996. During that time, she conceived the idea of the Sound Safari Concerts for Children as an educational outreach for both the Monroe Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony League. She coordinated their joint resources to introduce the first Sound Safari Concert at the Monroe Civic Center in 1995. She and her husband, Gre, shared a love of classical music and were strong supporters of these organizations.

Merle was an avid golfer and tennis player. She enjoyed gardening with Gre and loved all the arts, regularly attending the opera and the symphony. In 1998, she became a Life Master bridge player and was very proud of that accomplishment. She loved being with her children and grandchildren and could often be found floating on a raft on Lake D’Arbonne with them. Merle was not only smart and talented, but if you knew her, she was most likely one of the strongest women you ever knew.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marcelle and Claude Maumus, and her beloved granddaughter, Lauren Ann Brennen.

She is survived by her sister, Marcia Engelmann; her nephew, David Bourgeois, and his wife Christine; her daughters, Zoe Crumpler (Mike); Bonnie Wiley (Bert); and her son, Edward Brennen (Kelly). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jared Crumpler (Nicole); Amelia Jenkins (Dustin); Morgan Crowell, (Evan); and Sara Crews (Felix); and her great-grandchildren, Mason Crumpler; Cameron Jenkins; Caden Jenkins; Bradley Crowell; Chloe Crowell; and Thomas Crowell.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 8, at 11:00 a.m. at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, with arrangements handled by Mulhearn Funeral Home on Sterlington Road in Monroe, Louisiana. Visitation will be prior to the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 at Mulhearn's. Interment will follow, with a reception immediately afterward at the Brennen home.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Compassus Hospice, especially nurses Debra and Abby; to Inspirational Care, LLC; and to loving caretakers Shelia, Matena, Stormie, and Catina for their compassion, kindness, and dedicated care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.