Louise Cecilia Frances Brown

1961 - 2014

A Star that will forever burn brightly in our hearts

Louise Brown, a resident of Palos Verdes since 1969, died peacefully in her sleep at home where she lived with her parents, Pat and Frank Brown, on Friday, February 28, 2014. Anyone whose life she touched was impacted by her darling smile and her loving way of life.

Louise was born August 10, 1961 in Verdun, France to Frank and Pat Brown. She was among the first children in Palos Verdes with an intellectual disability to enroll in the special education program that had been revised to be more inclusive. While Louise learned reading and writing at Silver Spur Elementary and Malaga Cove Intermediate schools, she also interacted with students in the mainstream classes such as art and music. A whole generation of understanding and acceptance and love on the part of these school children was nurtured. In 1983, Louise graduated Rolling Hills High School along with her brother, James Brown.

Louise worked for Goodwill Industries for 19 years. In Louise's free time she took acting lessons, learning American Sign Language and helped sign for hearing impaired attendees at St. Margaret Mary's church services for the developmentally disabled. Her acting career pinnacled when Pat and Frank brought her to auditions for "Life Goes On". She starred in a poignant episode of "ER" playing the part of Louise Mendoza, a Down Syndrome woman in line for a heart transplant. At one point, she declared George Clooney "gorgeous" and loved working with Anthony Edwards. Honored by the Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce, Louise shared the Citizen of the Year award with her parents in April, 2008.

For the past ten years, Louise has been attending Canyon Verde, an interactive program for adults with developmental disabilities. Louise participated on a daily basis with their enriching activities. Louise earned many hours as an usher at the Norris Theater and her social calendar was filled with dinners and cultural events she attended on the Peninsula with her parents.

She was an advocate for the developmentally disabled and was an invited speaker to programs highlighting their unique qualities and contributions. She would frequently correct people who asked her about Down Syndrome saying she referred to it as "Up Syndrome."

Louise is survived by her parents, Frank and Pat Brown, her siblings Francine Howard (Jeff), Nicole Brown (Pat Shaw), Christine Brown, and James Brown (Dana). Pre-deceasing Louise was her sister Leslie Ferris (Bill). She was a beloved aunt to Rachael and Matthew Ferris, Wil Howard, and Callahan and Reilly Brown. Her extended family includes aunts, uncles, and cousins throughout the United States, all of whom miss her dearly.

Louise touched the hearts of so many people and her star will remaining shining forever. A celebration of Louise's life will be held in the future.

Contributions can be made in her memory to Canyon Verde (2761 190th St, Redondo Beach, CA 90278), and to the Down Syndrome Association (16461 Sherman Way, Suite 180, Van Nuys, CA 91406,
Tel: 818-786-0001).