Donna Brown

Sister Donna Brown, OP, of Grand Rapids, MI (born Audrey Irene Brown) died on July 29, 2022. She was 89 years old and a Dominican Sister for 71 years. 

Sister Donna received a BA degree from Aquinas College and an MA in Elementary Administration and Supervision from Western Michigan University. 

Sister Donna’s teaching career spanned many grades, years, and parishes throughout Michigan’s lower peninsula, including St. Philomena, Beal City; St. Mary’s Muskegon; Sacred Heart, Merrill; Our Lady School, Chesaning; St. Paul the Apostle, Grand Rapids; St. John’s Essexville; St. Andrew’s, Grand Rapids; and Sacred Heart, Mt. Pleasant. 

Sister Donna entered a new phase of pastoral ministry with an initial assignment at St. John Vianney parish in Wyoming, Michigan and after further education and certification began the role as Pastoral Associate at Holy Trinity Parish, Comstock Park; St. Mary of the Woods, Twin Lake; and St. Charles Parish, Greenville. 

In serving others, Sr. Donna found meaning and purpose. When she retired from active ministry, she relished the opportunity to volunteer at the Michigan Veterans Home in Grand Rapids. She felt honored to be a listening ear and caring presence for those who served their country, as had members of her own family. This she did until her health made that service no longer feasible. 

Her friends and classmates remember her fondly as gentle, kind, grateful, confident, and dependable. She was known as one who loved her work, always had a ready laugh and a willingness to help. Sister Donna will be missed by family, friends, and former students who are all better people for having known this kind and dependable daughter of St. Dominic.

In an effort to protect our vulnerable population from the Covid-19 virus, a private Funeral Mass with vaccinated immediate family members and Sisters will be celebrated at Chapel of the Word, Marywood on Tuesday, August 2. Masks are required. 

Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in Sister Donna Brown’s name may be made to the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters.