Dorothy Mae Brown

Dorothy Mae Brown went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 12, 2025, in Commerce Township, MI. She was 90 years old.
Born on February 16, 1935, to Vernon and Eva Price, she was quickly joined by her younger brother, Bill Price, whom she promptly wanted to sell until the bread man pulled out a dollar, and she thought better of it. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband - Ray (Doc) Brown, her grandsons - Joshua Sellers and Dylan Brooks, and her son-in-law - Gary Brooks.
Growing up in Waterford Township, MI, Dorothy knew the value of hard work. From an early age, she was responsible for cleaning the house and helping sell groceries in her parents' Mom & Pop grocery store. She always had her eye on education. At age nine, she agreed to have her appendix removed under local anesthesia with the surgeon's promise that once in college, she could work at his hospital. As a first-generation college student while working, as promised, at Detroit's Blain Hospital, Dorothy earned a Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology at Wayne State University (WSU). After graduation, while pursuing her Master's in Student Guidance and Counseling at WSU, she served as Detroit Memorial Hospital's Clinical Laboratory Director. In the 60s, she went to work for her Alma Mater as Assistant Professor and Chairman of Clinical Laboratory Sciences in the School of Medicine, and continued serving the student population as Deputy Dean of Allied Health after earning her Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Michigan State University (MSU). Dorothy retired from WSU in 1996, leaving behind a professional legacy of student care and success as well as many lifelong friends. In addition to the professional societies she supported and belonged to, she was presented with an Alumni Achievement Award from WSU.
As a woman in the sixties working outside the home, she worked hard to balance her career and motherhood. She expected a lot from her daughters, but she also gave a lot. Not many women can work an eight-hour day with a two-hour round-trip commute and then find the time and energy to drive her daughters fifteen minutes to go play in the lake with them! She passed on her love of education to her daughters, making sure school was a priority and college was a given. It brought her much joy that all of us were Spartans!
Dorothy loved her grandsons and great-granddaughters, and they loved her back. Described by her grandsons as the glue that held the family together, supplier of nuggets and jello then graduating to sandwiches and a wise ear as time went on, forgiving and correcting, compassionate, loving, always being proud of them and accepting of their missteps, excited to call the day after big MSU games, being the voice of reason, always showing up, encouraging when they called, welcoming, and above everything else...loving, Grandma (and Doc) provided summer jobs for all six of them in a safe space to learn, grow, and soak up wisdom.
Besides her family, she also loved her friends and her basketball. Her 'second home', West Lake Health, where she developed many friendships with staff and residents, recently honored her with a 'Make a Wish' adventure. She chose to attend a Michigan State basketball game, which provided her with many happy memories and a few photo ops. In addition, the care she received from St. Croix Hospice was especially meaningful to her and our family. She will be remembered best for her Spartan pride, her ability to analyze the heck out of anything, and her encouraging spirit.
In addition to her daughters and son-in-law - Debbie and Scott Sellers of Haslett, MI and Kathy Brooks of Davidson, NC, mom leaves behind her brother Bill (Marcia) Price, four grandsons - Jason Sellers, Jordan Sellers, Austin Brooks, and Logan (Amy) Brooks, and great granddaughters - Lily and Sammie Sellers. She loved and was loved by her cousins, extended family, and many friends.
A Celebration of Life service for mom will be held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty St. Milford, 48381 on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 3pm. Family will start receiving friends at 1pm.
We'd love for you to join us and bring a favorite memory to share.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
Grace Centers of Hope
Attn: Development Department
35 E. Huron Street
Pontiac, MI 48342