Marie Collonge Brown

July 31, 1931 - March 12, 2017

Marie Collonge Brown “Rere”, 85, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 12, 2017. Daughter of Joseph and Otilla Collonge of Dickinson, TX, Marie grew up in Dickinson, graduating from Dickinson High School in 1949. She attended Hockaday Junior College in Dallas, Texas from August, 1949 to March, 1951 and then entered the University of Texas in Austin, earning a bachelor’s degree in English and pledging Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Following graduation, Marie worked in industry in Houston, and later taught 7th grade English in the Spring Branch Independent School District. She married her true love, Joseph Louis Brown, Jr. "Brownie" on October 13, 1962. She was a long time member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, and was active in Bible Study Fellowship for many years. She served the church as a volunteer in various capacities, including teaching Sunday School, as a funeral reception volunteer and was a member of the Methodist Women's Fellowship. She also worked for many years as a Blue Bird Circle volunteer in the Blue Bird Thrift Shop and volunteered in many other capacities for various groups and organizations throughout her adult life. Marie had a wonderful happy spirit and a quick sense of humor. She was an active, strong lady who loved being outdoors and was an avid gardener. She spent time in the country with her family and never shied away from hard work. Whether working on the farm house, completing projects or taking care of her grandchildren, she exuded a joy for life and could make any situation fun. Her family remembers her as an incredible homemaker, wonderful cook, and a person with an open heart for others. She was extremely dedicated to her family, taking great delight in creating a wonderful home for them. She was charitable and generous, sensing when others were struggling or had a need, and never hesitated to reach out and help in any way she could, whether big or small. She was always a shining example of how to treat others with God's love, great kindness and respect. She is survived by her daughters Erin Brown and Julie McMahon, son in law Kevin McMahon, of Houston, as well as five grandchildren: Joe, Gwyneth, David, Lillian and Genevieve McMahon who adored her and loved spending time with their grandmother “ReRe.” They will miss her dearly. She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Louis Brown, Jr. (Brownie) and her son, Joseph Louis Brown, III (Louis). She is also survived by her sister, Joan Collogne Wall, and brother-in-law Robert Wall, of Colorado Springs, and their three children, as well as relatives Judy and Dan Ricketts of Galveston among other extended family. Since 2003, Marie has fought a courageous battle against Alzheimer's Disease. During all that time, she never lost her sweet spirit and wonderful smile and was able to be present and enjoy being with her family and friends, even maintaining her sense of humor. While we grieve our loss, we take comfort that she is free from struggle and at peace with many she loved. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks for the compassion, love and support they received from many at The Hallmark and Belmont Village of Hunter's Creek. A memorial service will be held in the chapel of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77027 at 11:00 am on Friday, March 24, 2017. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Marie.