Mary “Meme” Brown

Hi, this is Cathy, I knew your mom for many years. She was like a big sister, we would get in so much trouble like one time. She tried to change the washer on the kitchen sink when we were living on Egerton and we didn’t know about shutting off. We had water everywhere it was a mess. But we did get it changed and then washing the clothes. Oh my gosh there used to be such a huge pile in the laundry room all the way up to the washing machine and I’d be washing steady all day and night had them all folded. She come home from work and she’d go. I don’t have any room for all these clothes and I just look at her at like what did you go out and buy New clothes she’s like yeah we run out of clothes. I’d buy new clothes. I’m just like well. I don’t know what you’re gonna do with this but I spent all day and night washing these clothes. While I was babysitting David used to babysit Dave 40 hours a week six days a week sometimes five days a week when I’d be at school, my mom and dad Kenneth bills and Genevieve bills would watch him until I get home and then I’d walk him over to his mom‘s house and I’d spend the entire time waiting for Mary to get off work sometimes she wouldn’t come home till six or seven at night she worked very long hours. She worked very hard. The first time she started working. She was actually learning how to cut hair and I was her guinea pig. I’d go to her shop and she cut my hair and at times my hair was just horribly chopped and they would have to fix it a teacher, but she did the best she could. We had lots of fun together we go to state fair with David. I remember sitting in the backseat with David Mary in the front with her mom and I’d be just going after David and just like two siblings in a just a tiff and Mary would turn around she says will you two just cut it off and David will look at me and I look at him and say ya cut it off. You’re being naughty and he say you cut it off you’re being naughty and it was just so much fun and then she started that studio. Taking all those pictures and stuff and my little boy came along Kenneth Fechtner and she would take pictures of him. We had so many memories together. We spent so much time together I’d spend at least 60% of my time at Mary’s and June‘s home sometimes spend the night and sometimes I go home late at night about 7 o’clock. I remember June calling up numerous times asking if I was there and she’d always bring me home Suzie Q’s. My Suzie Q’s was always my treat. I remember Sunday mornings the house smelling so good was so much food. June would cook like she was cooking for an Army we waited hours till about 3 o’clock in the afternoon to finally dig into the Sunday brunch or supper whatever you you wanna call it. Their is so much fond memories. I remember our Christmases together when we were on Egerton and Mary come to our house and we would all be opening up presents. It was just so much fun and so many memories. I lost touch later in my life, but I call her once in a while and get caught up like no time was lost between us, I’d stop in once in a while, but as life goes on, so did my busy life I miss so much but my fond memories will always be with me. I remember Dave having his 3 or 4 birthday Mary dressing up in a costume of Darth Vader. Dave was so happy at scared at first and then he realized it was his mom because she had to take her costume off to show him and then he was just so happy after that Mary did so much to show you kids her love and to show me the love to a mother.

Jessie and Dave, Thinking of you both today and the wonderful memories of Ms. Brown, hockey Mom, who was so patient with all of us. From helping Jess in the locker room all the time and having to put up with our crazy locker room banter, volunteering for our state tourney and getting us all to listen so we could take our team picture after winning all our tourneys. She was a great hockey Mom and she will be missed. Perz /Van Rite

Growing up in the condos Mary was not only a neighbor, but a mother figure to me, and I have countless memories of her. One of which was going to Wilson Park to watch Jess play hockey. Mary proudly displayed her kids "hockey pins" attached to her jacket and had noisemakers in hand, while cheering and stomping the bleachers! She let it be known who's mama she was! She would take Jess and I to Grant Park to go swimming and then after freezing from the cold waters of Lake Michigan we'd go for ice cream at Dairy Queen. We would also go to Southridge to the portrait studio where she worked and I remember her squeezing little toys and making funny faces for the babies to get the perfect shot! Mary was a great lady who had a contagious smile, and a heart of gold. I will miss her deeply, and the memories I have of her will live on forever in my heart! Love ya Mary!

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.