Laura Brown

Laura Marie Brown passed away on March 28, 2009 after a long illness. She was born October 14, 1918 in Middletown, Ohio of Italian immigrant parents, Michael and Letizia Rossi. She was the third of seven children, five girls and two boys. Upon graduation from St. John's School in 1936, she worked at a series of jobs as a bookkeeper. In 1943, she married Ray E. Brown, Sr. of Indianapolis and moved to Der Ridder, Louisiana where her husband was stationed at Camp Polk. When Sgt. Brown was shipped overseas, she returned home to Ohio where she gave birth to Ray E. Brown, Jr. After the war, she settled in Indianapolis, and she and her husband had four more children, Barbara (Larry) Clemons, Carolyn (Norm) Brown, Michael (Carol) Brown, and Lisa (Larry) Zetzl. A founding member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Mrs. Brown served her parish church and school in a variety of capacities. She was active in the Women's Club, a study discussion group, the parish council and the RCIA. She was also the recipient of a distinguished service award by the Westside Catholic Deanery. Mrs. Brown also worked for the pro-life movement and the Democrat Party. Mrs. Brown is survived by her children , 10 grandchildren, Kevin Clemons, Jennifer Villela, Sarah Perl, Christopher Brown, Courtney Thompson, David Brown, and Mark, Matthew, Laura and Nicholas Zetzl. She also has seven great -grand children, Henry and Eliza Clemons, Rose, Macey and Sophia Villela, Andrew Thompson and Hudson Perl. Calling will be at St. Michael Church, 3354 W. 30th St., Wednesday April 1, 2009 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. rosary. Funeral services at the church are scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday, April 2. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Church as requested by the deceased. Arrangements handled by Stevens Mortuary. www.stevensmortuary.ne