Olivia Michal Brown, born in Orlando, Florida died unexpectedly at the age of 48 on May 11, 2025, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Olivia lived on her own terms—fearless, curious, and unbound by expectations. She was deeply original and full of love.

Olivia lived freely and adventurously, making her home in more than eight different states over the years. She moved through life with a creative spirit and an untamed heart. Drawn to the outdoors and always in motion, she embraced a bit of recklessness. She hitchhiked across the country and back again 4 or 5 times! She enjoyed whitewater kayaking, climbing trees (or anything she could scale), swimming in oceans and lakes, camping, building things with her hands, and unearthing treasures in thrift stores. She didn’t follow a script, and she didn’t ask others to either. She especially loved her granddaughter Athena who brought her joy and laughter everyday.

In recent years, she formed a deep connection with her roots in Tennessee, raising her granddaughter Athena and living with her sister Suzanne and stepparents Katye and Don.

Olivia stood firmly in her beliefs in social justice and equality. She would have been proud to know that her choice to be an organ donor extended the lives of two others and will positively impact the lives of countless more for years to come, a final act of a life lived without compromise.

One of Olivia’s favorite quotes by American writer Brian Andreas, is a reflection of the space she always sought:

I've always liked the time before dawn because there's no one around to remind me who I'm supposed to be so it's easier to remember who I am.

She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Kay “Danielle” Hartley; her granddaughter, Athena Kay Hyatt; her brother, Michael Brown and his wife Julie, and their children, Evelyn, Jenna, and Benjamin; her sister, Lauren Deegan and her husband Brian, and their children, Patrick and Mackenzie Kay; and her sister, Suzanne Hunt. She is also survived by her stepmother, Katye Hunt; her stepfather, Don Hunt; her longtime companion, Shane Childers; her uncle George Stubbs and his wife Barbara; her aunt Carol Smith and her husband Smite; her uncle Henry Stubbs and his wife Arlene; and a wide circle of cousins and extended family. She was preceded in death by her mother, Brenda Kay Ringewald, and her uncle, Robert Stubbs.

Olivia Michal Brown was wholly herself and full of strength and adventure, making the world more interesting for everyone who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, Olivia's family created this GoFundMe dedicated to supporting her granddaughter, Athena. All money raised will go to a protected account solely dedicated to Athena’s care and education and that honors Olivia's and Danielle's wishes.