Monica M. Brennan, 81

Monica M. Brennan, a former owner of the Blue Haven Motel in Montauk, died in Mountain Lakes, N.J., on Saturday, two weeks before her 82nd birthday, after a brief illness.

Mrs. Brennan and her husband, Thomas Brennan, had lived in Rockland County for 20 years, where they raised seven children. Mr. Brennan enjoyed fishing in Montauk, and they moved there in 1978, buying the Blue Haven Motel. “Montauk was the beginning of many special moments and lasting memories,” her family said.

The entire family played a part in running the motel, on West Lake Drive. “We hired almost nobody,” Steven Brennan, one of her sons, recalled, adding that his mother worked extremely hard doing myriad tasks at the motel, which stayed booked during the season. Mr. and Mrs. Brennan ran the motel for 12 years, then sold it to their son Thomas Brennan Jr., who sold it out of the family in the 1990s and moved to Florida.

Mrs. Brennan was born in the Bronx on Oct. 18, 1932, the only child of John Hausler and the former Elizabeth Dukarm. She received a degree in medical technology from St. John’s University in New York City, and worked as a medical technician before having children.

Mrs. Brennan lived on Cleveland Drive in Montauk for 36 years. Her family said she cared for and supported them throughout her life, and was active in the Montauk community. As vice president of the Friends of the Montauk Library, she coordinated its programs and took a big part in its annual book fair. She enjoyed hiking, particularly in Montauk, and was secretary of the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society. She was a member of the AARP chapter in Montauk and often spoke of a tai chi class and the friendships she formed through it. She also loved opera, dance, and gardening and traveled extensively in her later years.

Mrs. Brennan is survived by her children: Steven Brennan of York, Pa., Kathleen Denigris of Fairport, N.Y., Elizabeth LoBiondo of Mountain Lakes. Jeanne Torrenzano of Hillsborough, N.J., Thomas Brennan of Myakka City, Fla., Monica Alfonzetti of Amawalk, N.Y., and Maryellen Kim of Montauk. Nineteen grandchildren also survive. Her husband died in 1993.

Visiting hours were held yesterday at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton and a Mass was scheduled for 11 a.m. today at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk, followed by burial at Fort Hill Cemetery in Montauk. Her family has suggested donations to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 901, Wainscott 11975 or the Montauk Library, P.O. Box 700, Montauk 11954.