Marjorie Brown

Marjorie Pauline Brown was born May 9, 1938 to Robert Eugene and Pauline Doris Quimby in Concord, Massachusetts. When Margie was nine years-old they lived in Georges Mills, New Hampshire and her father died leaving her, her mother and two younger siblings, Robert and Lois (Bunny). Because of financial hardships the family relocated to Mooseheart, a family orphanage near Batavia, Illinois. They stayed there for a short time. Her mother remarried and Claudine (Punk), Alva (Al) and Lawrence (Doug) were born. At age 13 Margie became ill with polio which changed her life forever. She overcame great physical obstacles. The doctors told her that she would never walk again, but she did. She enjoyed her teen years, held a couple of jobs and had her own apartment by the age of 17. Marjorie was working at the Strand Dress Company and the Canteen near Barrington, Illinois and she knew the Brown family. When the father passed away, she attended his funeral and met the love of her life, Ron Brown. After one week they were engaged and Ronnie, having been on furlough from the Navy for his father’s funeral, returned to service. Margie flew out to Long Beach, California four weeks later where they were married on July 20, 1956. Ron returned to duty overseas within a week. Soon, Marjorie learned they would have a child and their first born, Michael, arrived while Ronnie was still out to sea. When he returned Ron and Margie and their new little family moved to Virginia where Christine was born on base. After Ronnie finished his tour the family moved to Glen Ellyn, Illinois where Shary, Steve and Laura were born. She continued to defy the odds; she had been told by doctors she should not have children.

Many happy years passed. When the children were older Margie took on a couple part-time jobs including her own clothing alteration business and an electrolysis business. Mostly though, she excelled in her role as a mother and wife. She created a stable, healthy and fun home. She had dinner on the table every day at 5 pm sharp except every Sunday when we would eat a big meal early and have popcorn and watch Walt Disney and Mutual of Omaha, Wild Kingdom in the evening. The family moved to the big house on President Street in Wheaton where another thirty-three years of memories were made. Margie and Ronnie relocated to their lovely, riverside home in Rockton, Illinois in 2009, where their grandchildren learned to swim, many family reunions took place, and they watched their family get bigger and bigger.

Marjorie passed away peacefully at home in the presence of her beloved family. She is a free-spirit and is reunited with Ronnie.

Marjorie is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Brown; her mother and father, Robert and Pauline Quimby; step-father, Stuart Standish; her brothers, Robert Quimby and Al Baxter; her grandson, Richard Moberg; her son-in-law, Michael Sanders; her daughter-in-law, Deborah (Ferrara) Brown.

She is survived by two sons, Michael (Linda) Brown, and Steven Brown; three daughters, Christine Smith, Sharon Sanders and Laura (Paul) Ferrara; two sisters, Lois Daugherty, Claudine Brown; step-sister, Lydia (Richard) Welch; her brother, Doug Baxter; step-brother, Stuart (Speed) Standish; 16 grandchildren, Jake, Elizabeth, Cassandra, Marjorie, Jessica, Emily, Sarah, Joseph, Joshua, Danielle, Gloria, Forest, Olivia, Kate, Wyatt, Michelle; 25 great-grandchildren and one on the way; 1 great-great-grandson.

Marjorie left a legacy of strength, love and family. She will forever be remembered, and her name will often be mentioned throughout our lives. May her memory live on through each and every one of us.