Judith Ann Brown

It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of Judy Brown.

 Judy was born on January 24'*, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois. She married Gerald A. Brown on April 15', 1961. They moved to Bolingbrook Illinois a year later where they raised 5 children.

Judy was a homemaker, who always made faith and family her priority. She took on the daunting task of raising 5 active children born 7 years apart in what was a rural area at the time.

She made wonderful meals from scratch, being her kids personal uber for their various activities and somehow found time to sew Easter dresses and matching coats for her three daughters.

Birthdays were a special occasion and always celebrated with a homemade cake of the recipients' choosing. Judy always had a real tree for Christmas, but never put it up until after her daughter Linda's birthday on December 18'. Three of her children were born in December and she never wanted their birthdays to get lost in the busyness of the holidays.

They had an idyllic retirement, splitting their time between Door County, Wisconsin in the summer and fall, and Titusville, Florida the remainder of the year. She also enjoyed bird watching, and possessed great knowledge about the birds in Door County and in Florida.  She also enjoyed bird watching, and was well informed about the birds in Door County and in Florida. She had a talent for drawing hummingbirds to the deck of their Door County home.

She parlayed her love of nature by volunteering at the Ridge's Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin for many years, earning Volunteer of the Year Award in 2012. She also worked for several years as a tour guide at the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, Wisconsin. She enjoyed Lighthouses and visited many of them during her retirement.

She was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and put a lot of work into researching the history of the Mannion family. She never forgot the birthdays of her many friends and family.

She is survived by her husband Gerald Brown, Titusville, and children: Jane(Dean) Verplaetse, Geneseo, IL; Linda(Bob) Ericson, Orlando, FL; Peggy(Mark) McChesney, Pawlet, VT; Jerry(Jose) Brown, Forest Park, IL; grandchildren - Wyatt(Andrea) Verplaetse, Ballwin, MO; Lauren Verplaetse, Seattle, WA; Luke(Fiance*' Alyson Keeney) Verplaetse, Carlock, IL; Jacob Verplaetse, Bloomington, IL; Andrew Verplaetse, Geneseo, IL; Eric Verplaetse, Champaign, IL; and Will Verplaetse, Normal, IL; Erin(Matt) Gonzales, Los Angeles, CA; Matt Saltsgaver, Asheville, NC;

Shannon(Kirby) Grant, Longwood, FL; Jack McChesney, Pawlet, VT; Olivia McChesney, Brooklyn, NY and Ashley Maynes, Burlington, VT. Great grandchildren are Guinevere Verplaetse and Elijah Gonzales. Her brother Pat(Colleen) Bell and several nieces and nephews also survive.

A son James 'Jimmy’ Brown preceded her in death.

The family wishes to thank the staff at The Canopy at Hickory Creek, Titusville, Florida, for the wonderful care they gave to Judy during the past few months.

The family also wishes to thank the hospice staff with St. Francis Reflections, Titusville, Florida who provided outstanding care to Judy. You were her angels on earth.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Judy's name to the following:

The Ridge's Sanctuary, Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin or The Door County Maritime Museum - Cana Island Restoration Project.

Services will be held at a later date.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.