Debra M. Brown

Debbie Brown was a caring, creative, and generous woman. She devoted her time to improving the lives of those who needed help, always took charge to do what needed to be done and loved her family above all.

In 1962, the Telstar 1 satellite was launched into orbit, the first active communication satellite that allowed television and telephone signals to cross the Atlantic for the first time. On August 29th, John and Carolyn Lang welcomed their daughter, Debra into their home in Detroit, Michigan.

Debbie was naturally in tune with creativity. She enjoyed being a member of the Camping Club. In her high school days at Bentley, she played the flute in their marching band, and along with her sense of faith, she fostered in the church, she was an active member of the church community choir, as she loved to sing.

Debbie and Doug went to the same middle school and high school, but it wasn't until a year after they both graduated, during alumni day when they happened to bump into each other during the school tour, and they truly met. They immediately connected, and the two couldn't be separated for the rest of the day's festivities. They continued to enjoy each other's presence into the evening, going to Chi-Chi's to grab drinks.

Whenever Debbie wanted something, she knew exactly how to get it, and she never had to rely on others. So when Debbie knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Doug, she didn't wait for him to propose. They were spending an average night together just cherishing each other's company when she asked him to marry her. Doug may have been stunned and overjoyed, but he managed to say "yes."

Their wedding day started dark and rainy but made a drastic shift when the sun came out and the day became hot and humid, and everyone was covered in sweat. Though the weather wasn't the most cooperative, Debbie and Doug had the most magical day celebrating their marriage with family and friends. Their honeymoon was brief but meaningful, as the two quickly shifted their focus on growing the family.

Both of their lives accelerated rapidly, beginning in the summer of 1988 with the arrival of their first child and daughter, Lauren. An amazing 12 months later, Debbie gave birth again to their son, Kyle, and their third child, Lindsey joined the family in December of 1990. Debbie and Doug were quite content with their family of five. They were always on their toes, juggling their three children that were born within 27 months, but in that period, Debbie and Doug's love for each other grew exponentially.

The majority of Debbie's career was dedicated to helping teachers and improving the lives of students as a paraprofessional in and around the Livonia district, mostly in Livonia Public Schools where she provided necessary aid to special needs children to help them acclimate to the classroom setting and thrive with their schoolwork and grades. Later on, she went to work in various Livonia Public Libraries.

Debbie enjoyed their trip to Disney World, but her favorite vacation was when Doug won a trip to Banff through a Labatt Blue contest. It was only a four-day adventure, but the memories were abundant. They rode on horseback through the Canadian Rockies, hiked over a glacier, bathed in sulfur pools, and admired the breathtaking and picturesque sights of Lake Louise.

Debbie made her home a safe space. Any time her children had friends over, they felt warm and welcomed, and she treated them no less than family. She enjoyed everyone's company, hosting impromptu pool parties, or just giving her children's friends a place to crash for the night. There was always room at the Brown house.

Debbie believed her greatest accomplishment was raising her three children, and her spirit can be seen gleaming in each of them. They each share a part of her soul, whether the sense of care and loyalty in Lauren, her strong sense of conviction and belief in Kyle, or her physical features in Lindsay. Debbie was most grateful in life for her family, and the arrival of her beautiful grandchildren, Bryce and Josephine. She cultivated their love for literature and reading during her time as a library clerk, as Nana Debbie wouldn't come home without all the best or newest books.

Debbie taught those closest to her that no matter where you are, what position you might have in life, there is always an opportunity to positively impact others. Her strong will, hospitable heart, and caring soul empowered her to create the most positive changes she could. Although she is gone, she will live on when those who had the privilege to know her remember the way she treated them, the way she treated everyone, and work to embody the same principles she exemplified every day of her life.

Debra M. Brown of Livonia passed away on August 1, 2023, at the age of 60. Beloved wife of Douglas for 36 years. Loving mother of Lauren (James Humphres) Brown, Kyle Brown, and Lindsay (Bryan) Parman. Dearest grandmother of Bryce and Josephine. Cherished daughter of Carolyn and the late John Lang. Dear sister of the late Jeffrey Lang, Steven Lang, Jennifer (Douglas) Kelly. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Visitation Tuesday, August 8, 2023 from 3-8 pm at Neely-Turowski Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48154. Instate Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 10:30 am until time of Mass at 11 am at St. Edith Church, 15089 Newburgh Rd, Livonia, MI 48154.