Phyllis Peres Brown

1933 - 2017

Phyllis Peres Brown
August 4, 1933-June 8, 2017
Resident of El Cerrito
Phyllis Peres Brown passed away at home on June 8, 2017 surrounded by her family. For those who knew her, they would easily refer to her as a warrior, fighter and survivor. She battled her rare cancer for 19 years, survived multiple surgeries, radiation and cyber knife treatments all to the amazement of her doctors, friends and family. She was one tough cookie!
Born in Oakland to George and Elizabeth Peres, she was raised in Richmond and El Cerrito. She finished up high school at Richmond High and then went off to Stephens College in Missouri. She later transferred back home and finished her Bachelor's Degree at California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. She later attended some summer classes at CAL which is where she met the love of her life, Erle Brown. They later married and moved multiple places before finally settling into their home in El Cerrito where they raised their children, Erle II (Andy) and Lisa.
Phyllis was a school teacher in the Richmond Unified School District, teaching at both Kennedy High and Richmond High. She impacted many young lives during her teaching tenure and still had many of her old students call and inquire about her.
Phyllis and Erle enjoyed their retirement together, often traveling the globe to places far and wide. Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Russia, China, Canada were just a few of the spots they traveled to. A favorite place was their yearly trek to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where over the years they had made many lifelong friends including the locals who often referred to her as La Reina, "The Queen". Phyllis enjoyed her last trip to Mexico this past February where they stayed for 5 weeks. She made the trip to the beach daily where she would visit with all her friends from Canada, North Carolina, Michigan and Illinois. To say everyone loved her would be an understatement.
Phyllis leaves behind her husband Erle, daughter Lisa, son-in-law Juan Castaneda, sister Janet Hunt, brother-in-law Harold Hunt and sister-in-law Carol Farrar. She is the mother of the late Erle H. Brown II (Andy). She also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews. One thing is certain, she was loved by many people. The constant parade of visitors and phone calls were proof of how loved she was. The family deeply appreciates all the support received during her last few weeks.
A memorial celebration will be held on Thursday June 15, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Wilson and Kratzer Mortuaries, 24th Street at Barrett Avenue, Richmond.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent on her behalf to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation, PO Box 442, Needham, MA, 02494.


View the online memorial for Phyllis Peres Brown