Obituary of MaryLou Brown

Mary Lou (Steinman) Brown, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on Monday, April 17, 2023 at the age of 96. Her life was a true testament to the resilience and courage of America's Greatest Generation.

Mary Lou was born on November 13, 1926, in Dayton, Ohio to the late Margaret (Coder) and Edward Steinman. Despite losing her father to tuberculosis at a young age and struggling through the Great Depression with her single mother, Mary Lou persevered with the help of her numerous aunts and uncles from Washington Court House, Ohio.

She graduated from Stivers High School, Class of 1944 and began working at National Register Company. While waiting for a bus to take her to a dance, a young, handsome, recently discharged serviceman travelling cross country asked her for directions. She had met the love of her life, H. Randall (Randy) Brown. After a whirlwind romance and only weeks of dating, Mary Lou and Randy became engaged and moved to Buffalo, NY. They were married in Buffalo on February 8, 1947,  and eventually relocated to Randy’s hometown, Danbury, CT where they raised three children, Sally (Fiorita), Randy, and Nancy. They celebrated 50 happy years together prior to Randy’s passing in 1997.

Mary Lou worked as a medical assistant before opening the Country Craftsman/Country Peddler with her son Randy on Crosby Street in Danbury. She spent many successful years operating the business and looked forward to annually exhibiting the store at the Great Danbury Fair.

Following the death of her husband, Mary Lou reentered the workforce at Montanari Fuel in Ridgefield. She continued to work until well into her 80s.

Mary Lou's strength and resilience were tested in 1987 when she lost her son Randy in an unexpected accident. It was a tragic loss that she carried with her for the rest of her life. Despite this, she remained an inspiration to all who knew her.

Mary Lou loved spending time with family and friends, especially during her winters as a "snowbird" in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and her summers in Matunuck Beach, Rhode Island. She was a wise woman who always had time to talk and possessed the ability to hold a conversation for hours. An attentive Grandmother (Grams/Mimi) babysat, attended horse shows, cheered at baseball, basketball, soccer, and lacrosse games and enthusiastically sat through numerous swim meets, dance recitals, and school concerts.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son, as well as her son-in-law, Joseph Fiorita Jr.

She is survived by her beloved daughters, Sally (Fiorita) and Nancy Brown, her daughter-in-law, Patty Brown (Zaborowski), cherished grandchildren, Jill Fiorita Vitti (Paul),  David Fiorita (Marian), Jennifer Brown, and Mary Beth Brown, and adored great-grandchildren, Joe, Michael, and Juliana Vitti, and Nicole, Elise, and David Jr (DJ) Fiorita. She also leaves behind extended family and the caring staff who became her loving friends at Spring Village Assisted Living and Constellation Hospice. The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to all of her compassionate caregivers, especially Avion.

Friends will be received at Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury on Sunday, April 23, 2023 between the hours of 2-4 pm. 

Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 10:30 am.  Burial will immediately follow in Wooster Cemetery.

Mary Lou will be remembered for her strength, courage, and most importantly, her kindness to others. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Contributions in her memory can be made to:

Danbury Special Olympics

8 Obtuse Road

Brookfield, CT 06804