Laura Brown
Laura Brown died on January 26th at The Tender Nest in
Billings, under the care of Riverstone Hospice and in the
presence of her loving friends.
Laura Christine Brown was the firstborn child of Marjorie and J.
Vickers Brown, born on September 21st, 1953, in Bethesda, MD. As
a child she lived in Seattle, San Diego, Silver Spring, MD and
spent her formative years in Great Lakes, IL. She graduated from
Woodlands Academy in Lake Forest, IL in 1971, and she earned her
degree in special education from the University of Wyoming.
Laura taught special needs children in Dickinson, ND,
McMinnville, OR, the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch in
Billings, and in Billings Public Schools. Most recently she
taught At Risk Youth at Skyview High School. Laura had a
keen ability to understand and relate to her students. Her
empathy, compassion, caring and concern for her students
were manifest daily through listening, conversation,
encouragement, humor and optimism. Laura lived and breathed
education in her professional and personal life.
Laura’s inner strength came from her Higher Power, which she
found through a Twelve Step program. On a daily basis she
practiced these steps and their principles: honesty, hope,
faith, courage, integrity, willingness, humility,
self-discipline, love, perseverance, spiritual awareness,
and service. Because of the way she lived her life, Laura
was sought by others for counsel and friendship. She had
many long-lasting friends who are her rich legacy of a life
well lived.
Laura was preceded in death by her grandparents; aunt and uncle, Alice and Harold Kinney; uncle, Frank Glover; and uncle, Irwin H. Hartman, Jr. She is survived by her parents; brother and sister-in-law, Jeff and Carol Brown; sister, Lisa Brown; niece, Kimberly Brown; nephew, Christopher Brown; aunt, Barbara Hartman; uncle and aunt Samuel E. and Viola Brown; nine cousins; special friends Beth Morrow, Dick and Vivian Petersson, Teddy Blinco, and Marilyn Fugere, and her beautiful tapestry of friends in Billings and beyond. As Laura would say, “It’s all good.”
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
I worked
with Laura at YBGR many years ago. She was truly a light in the lives of
the youth she touched in so many ways. It, and she, are indeed good. My
sympathies in your loss.
Linda Henry