1935 – 2015

AUBURN — Diane Eva Brown, 80, formerly of Schooner Estates and Maison Marcotte, met her Lord on Wednesday, July 1, at the Clover Manor in Auburn, where she had been a resident for the past two months.

Born in Lewiston on Feb. 2, 1935, she was the daughter of Roger and Eva St. Hilaire Belleville. She was educated locally and was a graduate of St. Dominic High School, Class of 1953, and later graduated from Bliss College.

On Sept. 29, 1956, she married the love of her life, Robert S. Brown, and they were married for 52 years. Mr. Brown passed away on Oct. 15, 2008.

During Mr. Brown’s Air Force career, they lived on several different bases: in Bangor; Omaha, Neb.; Puerto Rico; Plattsburgh, N.Y.; and Rantoul, Ill., where she worked at the Post Exchange at Chanute Air Force Base. She often joked that she must be the only woman who had living souvenirs from every state she ever lived in.

Following her husband’s retirement from active duty in 1978, they returned to the area and she went to work for Concord Insurance Group until her retirement in 1999. A member of the former St. Patrick’s Parish, she belonged to Holy Family Church, Prince of Peace Parish, and was also a member of the Rosary Sodality.

Survivors include three sons, Michael Brown of St. Joseph, Ill., Roger Brown and wife, Diana, of Green Bay, Wis., and Russell Brown and wife Lynne, of Avon, Ind.; four daughters, Carol Brown of Old Orchard Beach, Lisa Brown and partner, Jackie Tanguay, of Lewiston, Kathryn Brown of Van Nuys, Calif., and Stephanie Brown of Lewiston. She also had six grandchildren, Alaina Biddle, Robert Brown, Randi Jo Brown, Ryan Brown, Tyler Brown and Dale Brown; and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by Sean Gallagher of Saco, whom she considered a son. Her grandson, Dale, held a very special place in her heart and he gave her so much pride and joy the past 16 years.

She was an amazing mother who was always there for each and every one of her children. She had a full life as a wife, mother and grandmother and was so very proud of all of her children and grandchildren. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. Her smile was beautiful and all who worked with her the past few years really loved her.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Schooner Estates and Clover Manor for the loving care given to her the past two years. A special thank-you to Margaret, Peter and all of the staff of the Androscoggin Health and Hospice for its support the past week. They are truly angels on Earth, and our mother deserved no less.