Valerie Marie Brown

In July 2014, Valerie Marie Brown, 52, of Springfield, declared war on her lung cancer. The battle lines began in the lung but infiltrated beyond that and made for a complicated fight. Use of many weapons, both chemical and radiation warfare, on many sites failed in the end. She fought on at work never giving in to be pitied for her condition knowing that her duty was to her family and her career. When she found that her wounds were mortal she did not think of herself. Her first thought was, "I need to get someone to replace me at the office." Try as she may, this endeavor proved to be impossible to her, as no one could be as dedicated to her duties as she. So, she continued onward, through her work and home-life never giving up on her husband and son, until she was hospitalized. On Friday, September 18, 2015 at 5:35 p.m at Memorial Medical Center she was overtaken by an enemy known for its aggression. Valerie was born May 30, 1963 in Sycamore, the daughter of Charles and Marilyn Pearce Crocher. She married Richard L. Brown, D. P. M. on November 25, 2000 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Valerie took it upon herself in sixth grade to convert and be confirmed a Catholic. She worked hard to pay for her education all on her own as she found it important to attend and be a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy. She proudly served her country in the United States Army for 12 years attaining the rank of Sergeant, though she had planned on making a career of it to impress her family. (Her father became a 35 year veteran.) She played the flute in the Army Band and marched in events all over the country. She ended her career at Camp Lincoln where she handled, among other duties, payroll. Valerie earned her bachelor's degree in accounting from University of Illinois Springfield in 2000, while working at SIU Orthotics and Prosthetics full time. Prior to that, she worked in insurance billing at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, and Springfield Memorial Medical Center, performing billing, writing contracts and doing accounting work. She briefly performed public accounting in 2000. Valerie was a member of the Sangamon Valley Volunteer Orchestra and had served as treasurer of that, as well as the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra. Occasionally she performed at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on her flute, and performed duets with Paulette George at several area Christmas events. She was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Wilma Brown, one brother-in-law, Greg Brown and her father-in-law, Harold "Brownie" "Muskie" Brown. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Richard Brown of Springfield; one son, Carlton Brown of Springfield; surrogate son, Carlos Sabrina Fernandez of Campinas, Brazil; parents, Charles and Marilyn Crocher of Springfield; three brothers, Doug, Rich and Greg (wife, Lisa) Crocher, all of Springfield; one half-sister, Deb Szweda of New Hampshire; brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Duane Brown, Gail Brown, Al Brown (girlfriend, Jessie Bain), Bruce (wife, Teresa) Brown, Kelly (husband, Troy) Lake, and Pat Brown; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and her beloved cats, Oscar and Horus. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 S. Walnut, Springfield. In one last selfless gesture, Valerie has requested that her body be donated to medical science to help continue educational research and studies. Memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society, 675 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703.