Mertice R. Brand

Mertice R. Brand, a third generation Sacramentan, passed away May 18, 2016 in Sacramento, California. 

She was the granddaughter of Henry and Katherine Moddison, who migrated from Canada in the early 1870s and started a dairy ranch on land now owned by the Port of Sacramento.  They also operated a peach orchard in what is now the River Park area, where two streets – Gunther Way and Moddison Way – bear family names. 

She was born to Ruth and Robert Gunther on September 4, 1918 in Sacramento.  She attended El Dorado and David Lubin Elementary schools and graduated from Sacramento High School.  She graduated from Sacramento Junior College and went on to UCLA where she was a proud Alpha Phi sorority sister.  

In 1941, she married Wilbur F. Brand, who became a partner in the real estate firm of Jones, Brand and Hullin and over the years developed many prominent Sacramento area subdivisions including River Park, Del Dayo Estates, Sierra Oaks and Sierra Oaks Vista. Mr. Brand passed away in 1991.

Mr. and Mrs. Brand traveled extensively and also enjoyed time at their vacation home in Carmel.  After Mr. Brand’s death, Mertice continued to enjoy many wonderful trips with her dear friends, Dotti Raley and Irma Moore.  She was a member of Del Paso Country Club since 1948 which she thoroughly enjoyed.

The last twenty years of her life she enjoyed the companionship of her closest and dearest friends in a group lovingly called “Ladies of the Night” with whom she shared many delightful social activities and memorable times.

She is survived by a son, Stephen S. Brand (Joyce) of Sacramento, daughters Virginia Anderson (Jon) of Tucson, Arizona, Katherine (Cotton) Lindquist (Howard) of Walton Beach, Florida, seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private service was held.  Because of her love of animals, contributions in lieu of flowers may be given to the Sacramento SPCA or the Sacramento Zoo.