Shirley K Brown

Shirley K. Brown passed away peacefully at home on October, 12 2017 from complications of Parkinson’s disease at age 85. Cherished wife of Richard D. Brown of Glen Ellyn, IL, they enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Shirley was the loving mother of four children: Richard S. Brown (Dawne Patterson), Cincinnati OH, Russell D. Brown (Susanna McColley) Chicago, IL, Steven W. Brown (Natalie Deering) Fair Oaks, CA, and Kathryn D. Brown (Jami Porter Lara) Albuquerque, NM. She was very proud of her three grandsons Maxwell Brown, Stuart Brown and Nathaniel Brown. Shirley was born in Plymouth, MA in 1932 to Bertha and Joseph Knight. Beloved sister of Marjorie Louise “Midge” Cronin of Kingston, MA, Janice Talmadge of West Whately, MA, and Carleton Knight (deceased) of New Britain, CT.

Shirley attended Plymouth High School (‘50) and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Bridgewater State Teachers College in 1954. She worked as a substitute teacher, then at Glenbard West High School library for 7 years. For over 40 years she volunteered in essential roles at the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, where she served on most every committee, including two terms as moderator, the highest lay position in the church. Through the church, Shirley was a lifeline for several immigrant families in their successful quest to gain US citizenship.

A perpetual optimist, Shirley was a woman of strength and substance, guided always by love and her generous spirit. She lifted up all those around her with eternal kindness.

A celebration of life will be held on November 11th at 2pm at The First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, 535 Forest Ave, Glen Ellyn Il,  60137 in the main sanctuary with a reception following downstairs in the Fellowship Room.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at Grand Central Station PO Box 5014,  Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014, (800) 708-7644  www.michaeljfox.org

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