Mary Keys

On August 5th, 2025, Mary C. Keys (Coughlin) of Brentwood passed away at the age of 63.

Mary was born in Dalton, Illinois in 1961. She was the 5th out of 6 children that Thomas and Charlotte

Coughlin had. When she 9 years old her family moved from Dalton, Illinois to Pleasant Hill, California. All

but her oldest sister, Lynn, made the move. Mary graduated from College Park High School in 1980. Her

parents passed away a month apart when Mary was 24 years old. On February 17th, 1990, Mary

Coughlin and Brett Keys married. They had celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this year. In April

of 1992 they had their first child, a son, Brett Keys Jr. In April of 1993 they welcomed their second child,

a daughter, Kaitlin Keys. Mary and Brett bought their first house together in 1989 in Antioch, California.

In 2001 Mary and her family moved to Canton, Michigan. They stayed in Canton, Michigan until 2013

when they moved back to Brentwood, California. Mary worked in the bank industry until she had her

kids. She decided she couldn’t leave them with someone else while she worked so she decided to be a

stay at home mom.

Mary has three sisters (Lynn-older, Celeste-older, & Noreen-younger) and two brothers (Jim-older &

Dean-older/deceased).

Mary was an avid bird watcher. She loved to put out bird feeders to watch all the local birds that would

show up. She made sure to keep those feeders full. Mary loved taking care of her yards. She had a

particular way she wanted her yard and house to be. She loved the outdoors and nature. Couldn’t

always get her out in it but Mary loved it all the same. Mary was an avid animal lover. She was against

hunting since she felt bad for the animals. Mary loved reading books and passed on that love to her kids.

Most weekends you could find Mary at the movie theater. Her kids could not ask for a better mother.

She was always there for them. She made sure her family was never lacking. She was a wonder person

and mother. She could talk your ear off if you would let her. She never met anyone that she couldn’t

talk to. She could get your life story from you before you knew it. She would go out of her way and

above and beyond to help those she cared about.

Mary leaves behind her husband, Brett Keys Sr; her son, Brett Keys Jr; her daughter-in-law, Ashley Keys;

her grandson, Benjamin; and her daughter, Kaitlin Keys. Her son + his family & daughter reside in

Michigan.

Mary will be cremated. There will not be a funeral service. Her family has decided on just a small family

gathering. Instead of flowers or gifts her family is asking that you just donate to a charity in need.