Mary Brown, age 73, of Lena, IL passed away on January 22, 2022, with her family by her side at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL.  She was born on April 23, 1948 to Orville and Lucille Nolan in Freeport, IL.  Mary attended NIU in Dekalb, IL before marrying Dennis Brown on March 2, 1968 in Lena, IL; Dennis preceded her in death on December 15, 2021.  Together Dennis and Mary raised two children.  Mary and her husband purchased the Lena Shopper's Guide in 1976 which they owned and operated for 24 years.  After they sold the Shopper's Guide, Mary was a teacher's aide for Orangeville Grade School for many years before retiring.

Mary's outgoing and bubbly personality never met a stranger wherever she went.  She enjoyed many family vacations and spending time with her amazing family and friends.  She loved feeding the birds and always wanted to find beautiful cardinals in her yard.  Mary and Dennis loved seeing the Oak Ridge Boys in concert and singing to her favorite acapella groups in the car.  Her favorite pastime was attending sporting events of her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  Mary was an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Lena, St. John's Women's Society, and was a long-time member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.  Mary was also a past member of the LBPA.

Mary is survived by her children; Laura (Ben) Pearson of Geneseo, IL and Steven (Kali) Brown of Stockton, IL; 4 grandchildren - David, Wes, Veronika, and Vanessa; mother-in-law Gertrude Brown of Lena, IL, 2 brothers - David (Fawn) Nolan, and Dennis Nolan, both of Lena, IL; sister in-law Diane (Dan) Paulsen of Lena, IL, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Dennis Brown, her parents, Orville and Lucille Nolan, father-in-law Robert Brown, and sister-in-law Sally Nolan.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lena, IL.

A visitation will be from 10:00 AM until time of services on Saturday also at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lena, IL.

Burial will be at Lena Burial Park in Lena, IL.

A luncheon will be provided at the church following the comital service at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her memory.