Joanne Lillie Brown

Joanne Lillie Brown passed away on November 17, 2019, at Park Manor.

Joanne was born on November 11, 1938, to Adeline and Harland Collins in Summerville, MA.  The family lived there before moving to Waco, TX.  While visiting in San Diego, Joanne met the love of her life, John Brown.  John was in the Navy and stationed there at the time.  The two were married on June 4, 1955, at St. Mary’s Church in Waco.  They moved to El Toro Marine Base and lived there for many years.  After John retired from the Navy the couple lived in Santa Ana, CA.  They were involved in their church and many community activities.

After living in California for 30 years, John decided to return to his home town of Walla Walla.  The couple moved here in 1989 and became very active in church and community activities.  John passed away on November 1, 1990.  Joanne lost her beloved husband but she carried on.

Joanne was a member of St. Patrick and Assumption Churches.  She was an avid baker and enjoyed crocheting.  She was often teased about having enough yarn to open up her own store.  Joanne loved teaching her great-great neice, Brynn York, to bake.  Her favorite teams were the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Huskies.  Joanne had a great love of dogs and had many as pets over the years.  She treated them like they were her children.  She took gret pleasure in showing off her little dog Buddy to staff at Park Manor when he would come to visit her.

Joanne had a deep faith and knew that one day she would be reunited with her beloved Johnny.

Joanne is survived by her niece Mary York; nephews Steve (Judy) Kerckhof, Darrel (Kelly) Kerckhof; great niece Theresa York; great nephew Brian York; great-great nieces Brynn and Natalie York; and sister-in-law Carma Mayberry.  Joanne is preceded in death by her parents Harland and Adeline Collins and husband John Edward Brown.

A Rosary will be held on Monday, December 2, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., at Assumption Catholic Parish followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Father Raymond Kalema will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Charity of Donor’s Choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 West Alder Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362.