Obituary of Shirley Jean Brown

Shirely Jean Brown passed away on May 10, 2012 at Lodi Memorial Hospital. She was 76. Shirley was born in Watsonville, California, one of three children born to Manuel M. Anecito and Connie (Victoria) Anecito. She grew up in Watsonville where she attended Watsonville High School. At an early age while attending a Portugese celebration in Watsonville she met Marvin F. Brown. The couple later married in September of 1952 at St Josephs Catholic Church in Capitola. Shirley was a long-time resident of Santa Cruz where she raised her family and also worked as a hair dresser. She and her husband retired to Calaveras County 20 years ago. She was a former member of St Josephs Catholic Church and was actively involved in many of the Portugese organizations including C.P.D.E.S. Shirley regularly attended the annual Festas which took place at the C.P.D.E.S Hall in Santa Cruz. She was described by her family as a devoted wife and a loving and caring mother and grandmother. A generous person who would not hesitate to do anything for anyone. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Marvin F. Brown of Valley Springs; daughters, Melvina White of Lodi, Delvina Barrows of Valley Springs and Melindy Leitner of Valley Springs; her sister, Betty Bass of Modesto; She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Marvin E. Brown in 2011 and her brother, Manuel "Butch" Anecito. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St Joseph's Catholic Church 435 Monterey Ave., Capitola, CA on Friday May 18, 2012 at 11:00 am. The funeral procession will leave Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St., Santa Cruz, CA. on Friday at 10:30. Visitation will be at Pacific Gardens Chapel on Friday from 9:00 am. Until the procession departs. Interment will be in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 2271 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to sign the online guest book or to light a candle in Shirley's memory. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.