Sheila Maureen Brown

Sheila Maureen Brown, 69, of Bradley, Illinois passed away July 23, 2023. She was born on a wintry morning, February 10, 1954, to Mary E. Schwarz and John F. Brown, Jr. at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee. Days later, her sisters and brother huddled on the hospital’s sidewalk as their mother proudly held Sheila for all to see. It was fitting that Sheila’s last days were in the comforting care of that same hospital. Sheila attended St. Martin of Tours Elementary School and Bishop McNamara High School. She proved to be a good student, served as class president and enjoyed being a cheerleader. Later in Sheila’s life, this extra-curricular activity took on a new meaning; she became the family cheerleader. She remembered everyone’s birthdays, sent cards for many occasions and kept tabs on all the challenges and successes of our lives. Sheila knew early on that she wanted to dedicate her life to helping others. She had a successful, three-decades long career as a Radiologic Technologist at St. Mary’s and Riverside Hospitals (Kankakee), St. Francis Hospital (Peoria) and St. James Hospital (Chicago Heights) . She specialized in Cardiac Cath Lab. Her humor was the gift she gave to her patients bringing laughter to a stressful situation. She gave 100% to her patients. She relished family gatherings where Sheila starred at the euchre and scrabble tables. On one occasion she played two scrabble games at once, winning both. She loved music, often frequenting karaoke bars sharing her vocal talents. Her quick wit and sense of humor made her a popular addition to all gatherings. Sheila shared her life with many dogs and her wonderful cat companion, Joe. Her concern for animals led to being active in a PETA campaign against animal testing. The list of other charities and causes she supported seems endless… Amnesty International, Women for Women International, Bread for the World, Illinois Soaring Eagles, Speak Up for Horses and Reservation Animal rescues, Salesian Missions and the Franciscans. This writing wouldn’t be complete without saying how much Sheila enjoyed giving. She shared her tomatoes (grown so she could harvest from her window), provided Halloween treats and homemade cookies for her neighbors, and hosted Easter egg hunts in her yard. In 1998 the Peoria Journal Star reported how Sheila rescued a needy family’s Christmas holiday. Her life was rich with the small things in life – knowing her mail carrier, her neighbors, and her pizza delivery man. She loved playing with children, being a parishioner of St. John Paul II Catholic Church, communicating with her local elected officials, and connecting with the world, at first, grudgingly, via the internet. We will miss her involved, caring and generous spirit. The family is grateful for all those who watched over her in later years: her neighbors, friends, co-workers, medical teams, and hospice personnel. Sheila was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Jim Brown; her sister, Mary Brown; her brothers-in-law, Phillip Aldred and James Ruder and many aunts and uncles. Sheila is survived by four sisters: Victoria (Sheldon) Proctor of Evanston; Patricia Aldred of Nipomo, CA; Loretta (Suzy) Ruder of Chicago; Elizabeth (Liz) Brown of Chicago and brother-in-law Tom Rogers of Knoxville, TN. Nieces: Kari Borden, Kendra Farber, Laura-Min Brejcha, and Megan Roche. Nephews: Chad Proctor, Gareth Proctor, Marc Brown, Matt Ruder, Chris Ruder, Nate Rogers and Ben Rogers and 8 great nieces,13 great nephews and numerous cousins. Services will be held Thursday, August 10, at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, Kankakee. Visitation will be 12:30-1:30 with a memorial service following. In lieu of flowers, please consider creating a simple “pay forward” kindness in her name or by remembering her with a donation to Kankakee County Humane Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Sheila Maureen Brown

February 10, 1954 - July 23, 2023