Addolorata Brown

Addolorata Nigro Brown CHESAPEAKE - On Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, Addolorata Nigro Brown passed away after a short illness in the loving arms of her family. Preceded in death by her mother, Maria Potenza Crescenza; her father, Francesco Nigro; her husband, Harold D. Brown; her brother, Antonio Nigro; her nephew, Roberto Lezzi; her brother-in-law, Rosario Lezzi; and son-in-law, Jim Holman. "Ada," as she was known, was a native of Brindisi, Italy, and a longlife resident of Chesapeake. She met her future husband in Brindisi and became a war bride in 1948 at the tender age of 19. She came to the U.S. shortly thereafter and began the process of relocating her family to America. Her daughter, Maria, arrived first in 1950 followed by her brother, Antonio Nigro and his family, sisters Francesca Lezzi and her family, and Grazia Coppola and her family. Ada became proficient in English, earning her GED and becoming an American citizen. She assisted her brother, Antonio and her sister, Grazia, earn their citizenship as well. She worked in the restaurant industry early on, earning many loyal patrons who followed her as she changed establishments. Being a serviceman's wife, she became extremely independent, handling the multiple responsibilities of her home and family. While stationed in California in 1954, she welcomed a son, Francesco David, and in 1967, a daughter, Sabrina Rebecca, in Chesapeake. After spending 10 years at home after Sabrina's birth, she applied to the Chesapeake school system as a bus driver. She was granted a license and a 28-year love affair began driving a special needs bus. Making multiple friends not only with other drivers, but school personnel and especially the children themselves and their parents, Ada loved working. Collecting awards and accolades along the way, she was happy and content. She loved her friends she met through driving the bus and went on many adventurous trips. Her greatest achievements was her family. Her ability to bring them to the U.S. and then welcome her own children here in the U.S. made her so proud; then watching them grow and become parents themselves, making her a grandmother and then a great-grandmother. She had so much to give and gave it gladly. Ada remained bilingual and thus allowed her to communicate with family here and abroad. She loved her church, going to mass and praying the Rosary, she was lifelong member of St. Matthews Catholic Church. Surviving, her legacy are daughters, Maria Holman of Lilburn, Ga., and Sabrina Bankes and husband Robert of Chesapeake; son, Francesco Brown and wife Lyne of Chesapeake; two sisters, Francesca Lezzi of Chesapeake and Gracia Coppola and husband Mario of Naples, Italy; sister-in-law, Dora Nigro of Chesapeake; grandchildren, Jim Holman and wife Debby, Rachel Yatteau and husband Eric, Nathan Holman and wife Ambrea, all of Atlanta, Amanda Brown and Kyle Bankes of Chesapeake, and Steve Brown and wife Bobbi of Jacksonville, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Reagan Brown, Jacksonville, Fla., Immanuel and Iyahana Selah of Chesapeake, Brooks and Benjamin Holman of Cumming, Ga., Carter and Grant Holman of Woodstock, Ga., and Braden and Gabriel Yatteau of Alpharetta, Ga.; nieces, Anna Maria Johnson and husband Dan of Virginia Beach, Alida Chappell and husband Mark of Chesapeake and Maria Moore and husband Gary of Chesapeake; great-nieces, Michelle Arnold and husband Craig of Chesapeake, Christina Bigdeli of California, Erica Lewis and husband Donald of Chesapeake and Jessica Nigro of Chesapeake; nephews, Francesco Nigro and wife Tina and Francesco Lezzi and wife Georgie, both of Chesapeake; great-nephews, Christopher Lezzi, Lucas Lezzi, Francesco Nigro, Antonio Moore, Ryan Chappell and John Marpole, all of Chesapeake. The Brown family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the many relatives and friends who supported us during this sad time in our lives, especially Margie and Jim Nicholson and Heartland Hospice. A very special thanks to Robin Simpson whose love and care allowed our mother to pass with dignity and grace. We all love you, Ada. A Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Matthew's Catholic Church with Father Joseph Facura officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Great Bridge Chapel. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.