Doreen Adeline Brown passed away March, 21, 2017 at Harmony House in Sedro-Woolley.
She was born to Charles and Mabel Utley on April 11, 1924 in Anacortes. She graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1942.
During Doreen’s life adventure of raising her children she enjoyed her grandchildren, 19 great-great and even 3 great-great-great grandchildren. She enjoyed exploring the roads, garage sales, casino hopping, gardening, her cat, Lucy, and her many friends. In particular, her Birthday Club friends, Judy Thompson, Liz Hanson, Vicki Tobin, Becky Frazier, Pam Jedlicka, and “Cookie Julie” Sande as well as her long life friends, Virginia Haskins and Merri-Melodi Wicker. She lived life to the fullest. She had a vivacious personality. She also loved the simple things in life, home-cooked meals, humming birds, writing letters and visiting the tulip fields. She always made sure the candy and cookie jar were full for grandchildren and visitors. Her love for her family and friends knew no bounds.
Doreen helped with the creation of the Sedro-Woolley High School Alumni Assoc., serving as Secretary and Vice-President. She loved taking charge of the annual plant sale with proceeds going to the Alumni scholarship fund.
In 1971, she received the first “Mother of the Year” award sponsored by KBRC radio station as a result of a loving and touching letter written by her son, Dennis.
During Doreen’s career, she was employed by the IRS, and Clearfield Air Force Base in Utah. After moving back Sedro-Woolley in 1962, she was employed by Skagit Corporation and later by Department of Social and Health Services until her retirement.
She is survived by her children, Julie Stemhagen of Mount Vernon, Richard (Pam) Brown of Enumclaw, Randy Brown of Bellingham, Shelley Brown-Bezona of Lyman, and Dennis (Jeanne) Brown of Scottsdale, AZ; Grandchildren, Lisa (Lenny) Dunn of Kirkland, Dean Stemhagen of Mount Vernon, Jayson (Jen) Brown of Boise, ID, Mindee (Hans) Hayden of La Grande, OR Angela Rayner of Edinburgh Scotland, Lindsay (Jeremiah) Maghan of Junction City, OR, Ryan (Christy) Campbell of Hermiston, OR, Leigh (Robert) Lambert of Scottsdale, AZ, and Jeremy Brown, Jeff (Minda) Brown, and Jordan ( Lindsay) Brown all of Sedro-Woolley; one nephew, David (Florence) Ibea of Marysville and niece, Marguerite (Roger) Bennett of Friday Harbor. Doreen was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Ethel and Arlene and daughter, Teresa Jean.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April, 1, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Lemley Chapel with Pastor Bill Bates officiating. Reception to follow at the Inspire Church in Sedro-Woolley. Private graveside services will be at Marysville City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be sent to the Sedro-Woolley High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, of which she was so very proud of.
A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT DOREEN,
Doreen was my oldest friend, literally. For when I was but a newborn, Doreen came and helped my Mom, Virginia, to become familiar with caring for me. Since Doreen already had Julie and Dick, she was “an old hand” with the babies. With this, Doreen and I formed a life-long bond. What luck for me! For as I grew up, Doreen was a great role model on what it takes to survive and thrive.
Grit, resilience, grace under pressure; all this toughness laced with a liberal dose of humor and charm. She sort of epitomized “The iron butterfly.”
While Doreen was naturally beautiful and comfortable to be “The Belle of the Ball,” she was equally delighted to pull on her “Beachcomber Boots, and go out on the tide flats, clam digging with the kids.
Doreen was: spicy, opinionated, passionate, and determined. When the challenges came to raising her large brood on her own, as a single parent- her energy and drive knew no bounds. And, most important of all; through think and thin, everyone knew that they were loved.
To sum up Doreen in two words: “Absolutely Fabulous.”
We celebrate the goodness that lives on. Celebrating her life and her lasting legacy.
Aunt Doreen will always be remembered, as she was deeply loved by all.
Our hearts go out to you.
With Deepest Sympathies.
Pam and Richard Bernard
So sorry for your loss. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet her when she was at Mountain Glen and be her caregiver. I Loved helping her everyday with her activities and daily needs. She taught me so much and always made my days with her smile.
She will be missed dearly.
So sorry for your loss. We have our memories. I will be thinking of you. Hugs to all.
My deepest sympathy to family, May Doreen be at peace, walking with Jesus through fields of her beloved tulips.