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Maria (Mia) E. Brazill, 66, of Northampton, a former librarian III, died in her sleep Aug. 21.

She was born in New York State and grew up in New York, Georgia, Florida and Ohio. Her thirst for knowledge and love of literature led her to a B.A. in English, an M.A. in English, and an M.S. in library science.

She joined the library staff in 1980 and resigned in 1988. She also served as a librarian at the South Kingstown Public Library in Rhode Island and at Smith College.

She leaves her husband Mark Eckstein, daughters Devin Brazill Eckstein (and husband Leonardo Saraceno), Jordan Brazill Eckstein (and partner Miles Harlow), granddaughter Thea Bari Saraceno, mother Regina Brazill (and husband Les Yoos), brothers William Brazill (and wife Teri) and Mark Brazill (and wife Shelley), and sister-in-law Susan Hirschfeld Eckstein, by Paul Winslow and Roseanne Winslow Murphy.

A gathering to celebrate her life will be held on Sept. 22, 1-3 p.m. in the Sylvan Beach Union Chapel in Sylvan Beach, New York, where she spent her summers growing up and which held a special place in her heart.