Our loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Lois Marie Brown, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was 92 years old.
Born in Clear Lake, Washington to Emery and Catherine Ford, Lois spent her early childhood in Kelso before moving to Raymond where she graduated with the Raymond High School class of 1950, married the love of her life, Del Brown, raised five children, and worked for the state of Washington for many years until her retirement.
Those close to Lois knew her to be selfless and kindhearted. A devout Catholic with an unwavering faith, Lois spent much of her free time at the local parish where she was active in the Altar Society and the parish council, sang in the church choir, and jumped at every opportunity to help fundraise for charitable causes. She was a social butterfly who enjoyed talking with others, for she was both a great listener and keeper of many amazing stories.
Lois had an artistic spirit, crafting handmade cards from dried pressed flowers with her grandchildren, painting Ukrainian eggs, tending to her flower garden (daffodils were her favorite), and baking desserts (apple slices remain a favorite of family and friends). She wrote children’s stories and enjoyed reading them to local grade school classes.
Proud of her Irish heritage, Lois enjoyed Irish blessings, jokes, songs, the gift of the gab, and genealogy. She traveled to local libraries and to Ireland in search of genealogy documentation.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband Del, parents, siblings Dick, Mary, and Jack, and son-in-law Bruce Carl. She is survived by her children, Colleen, Karen (Greg) Shildmyer, Denise Carl, Sheryl DeShields, and Alan (Tanya), sister Shirley Hoffer, as well as seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Saint Lawrence Catholic Parish, 1112 Blake Street, Raymond, Washington on Nov. 16, 2024, beginning with a funeral Mass at noon, followed by a reception in the church hall. The family will privately hold graveside services.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donating to two of her favorite charities:
Willapa Harbor Helping Hands, P.O. Box 597, South Bend, WA 98586
Raymond Schools Foundation, P.O. Box 345, Raymond, WA 98577
