Kimberly Irene Brown

Kimberly Irene Brown passed away peacefully on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the age of 54. She spent her final months in a warm and caring assisted living facility in Libertyville, Illinois.



Born in Medford, Massachusetts, Kimberly was raised in Norwood. She later made her home in many places across the country, including Grand Rapids, Syracuse, Fontana, Champaign, and Libertyville. After obtaining her GED, Kimberly earned her undergraduate degree at Western Michigan University and went on to receive a master's degree in economics from Syracuse University. She also taught economics at the community college level-an avocation she pursued throughout her career.



Professionally, Kimberly devoted her life to healthcare, working for many years in management at Kaiser Permanente. There, she played a key role in planning and developing healthcare facilities in Southern California, with a passion for uncovering unmet needs in underserved communities, particularly those related to mental illness.



Beyond her professional achievements, Kimberly had a lifelong love for animals-especially dogs. She also enjoyed horseback riding, which she briefly rediscovered in Champaign. An avid reader, she loved organizing book clubs and bringing people together around ideas. Most of all, she valued her freedom and independence to live life on her own terms. Her character was shaped by youthful struggles, personal determination, and deep religious faith. Grounded in economics, she approached decisions with discipline, integrity, and compassion.



She is survived by her daughter, Brittany Allan; her parents, Paul and Julie Brown; and her siblings, Christopher, Michelle, Brian, Lauren, Evelyn, and Brooks. She was predeceased by her grandmother Anita, with whom she shared a profound and lasting bond.



A celebration of Kimberly's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial donations be made in her name to your local animal shelter-a gesture that would honor her lifelong love of animals.