Mildred “Mid” Brown

SCOTTSDALE – 8/21/1924—6/18/2018 Storyteller extraordinaire, devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, lifelong Arizona resident, published author, fashion maven, shoe aficionado, cat lover, French fry connoisseur, voracious reader, remarkable linguist, business owner, joyous hot air balloonist, fearless trampoline jumper, imagined exotic dancer and mack truck driver, accomplished seamstress and avid traveler, Mildred Lucille Brown, known as “Mid” to friends and family, who embraced the adventures of a lifetime with open arms, passed quietly from this life in the early morning hours of June 18, 2018. Although born in small town Aberdeen, Idaho on August 21, 1924 to Abe and Aganetha Dick, she longed from an early age to explore the world on her own terms. Her decision to launch her life immediately after high school led to LDS Business College in Salt Lake City and employment in the insurance industry. That career was waylaid when a handsome soldier, Orral Brown, on his way overseas encountered her in a drug store, and captivated by her sassy attitude, sparkling blue eyes and brilliant smile, told her he was going to marry her. She laughed, but post World War II, in April 1946, began a happy marriage that lasted 56 years until his death. During those years there was much joy as they welcomed three daughters, grandchildren and then great grandchildren, traveled extensively, owned several businesses and built homes together. In those years, she honed her skills in baking thousands of cookies and peppernuts, created a plethora of craft projects, became an accomplished computer user, coupon clipper and bargain shopper, was a lifelong vegetarian, voracious reader, remarkable linguist and the best listener (and talker) ever. At heart she considered herself a housewife, a term of accomplishment at that time. Although she didn’t consider her place in the world impactful or important, that is far from the truth. Her spirit of adventure, excitement about anything new in her life from grandchildren, pets, recipes or especially a new pair of shoes or the latest bestseller will be hard to replace and sorely missed. Her legacy and latest accomplishment was the written and published story of her life which will be treasured by all who are fortunate enough to read it. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, her parents and much loved brother Clifford Dick. She is survived by her sister Irene Tiede, daughters Karen Thompson (Gary) of Gig Harbor, WA, Debra Laux of Scottsdale, AZ and Stephanie “Tap” Brown (Julie Gayheart) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Jennifer Crippen (Jeff), Rachel Thompson (Troy Brinkhoff), Corey Thompson (Michael Pickens), Jeffery Thompson (Sara), Daniel Thompson (Selena), Aaron Thompson (Jade), Matthew Thompson, Melanie Burm (Patrick) and Joseph Laux III (Kimberly); great grandchildren Justin, Maddie, Blake, Enrique, Kaya, Alexandra, Chloe, Henry, Samantha, Logan, Duke and Wyatt; step great grandchildren Ryan Burm (Caitlin) and Brandon Burm (Brianna) and their children Grace and Roselyn and of course, her wonder cat, Velcro. Please join us for a celebration of her life in your brightest colored clothes on Friday, July 6 at 2:00 pm at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 East Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of the Valley (HOV.org) or your favorite charity would have pleased her. Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary.