Sophia & Patrick 2022 - In Memoriam Donna Brown

Want to join us in making a difference? In memoriam of Pat's mom, Donna Brown, we're raising money to benefit American Lung Association, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us.

Garden boutiques, quilter’s emporiums and artist studios lost a faithful patron May 18, 2018. Donna Jean Brown (Kearins), passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family in Decorah, after her brief battle with lung cancer. Donna never passed a flower she didn’t like; a quilt she didn’t admire; or an opportunity to voice her thoughts.

Born Aug. 28, 1939, in Oak Park, Ill., Donna was the youngest of four children and raised in an Irish neighborhood on Chicago’s west side before aspiring to the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and the University of Illinois. She was introduced to Harrison John (“Dick”) Brown by her older brother Johnny at a dance. After a short courtship the two married Jan. 28, 1961, in Chicago. While raising four wonderful children, she founded the Chicago art gallery “The Art Object” and led the Florida Keys advertising division for the Miami Herald while living in Homestead Florida. In the early ‘90s Donna, husband Dick and youngest son Johnny moved back to the area of their beloved summer home in Northeast Iowa. Combining a lifelong passion for art and gardening, most of her recent artworks of gardening were celebrated at art fairs and art galleries throughout the state of Iowa. Donna was socially active with the local quilting and gardening clubs.

More information about American Lung Association: The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. COVID-19 is a lung infection and we are committed to providing trusted public health support during this pandemic. Our COVID-19 Action Initiative aims to end COVID-19 and defend against future respiratory virus pandemics by increasing research collaboration, developing vaccines, tests, and treatments, and with education and advocacy.