Brain Fever is what Sally Field's character gets on Soapdish, right?
"Puccini cries out for spirals, but really good ones." ~ Dick Button, 1998 Worlds
Sorry, I think you are correct. I remember reading about Mary having a stroke, but maybe that is how she died. I'd have to go back and look (my kids were huge LHOTP fans so we have done lots of reading.) I think I remember reading that she did have to have a operation later in life because of some sort of face pain - muscles or spasms or something. Clearly there were health issues. It is interesting that there was only one surviving child in the next generation, Rose, and she didn't have any children despite being married for a while. Carrie married later in life (well, late for the times) and I believe had two step children, but none of her own. Grace didn't have any children, but she apparently was diabetic so that isn't too surprising. With families generally being quite large, it does seem strange that there weren't more grandchildren.
"You can get so much of good thing, you can linger too long in your dreams, say good-bye to the oldies but goodies, 'cause the good ole days weren't always good, and tomorrow isn't as bad as it seems" Billy Joel (as quoted by BigBadBob)
You're right - Mary died of a stroke (while visiting Carrie).