Donna Vivian (Elshoff) Brown

1946 - 2016

Donna Vivian (Elshoff) Brown, 69, passed away peacefully at 12:32 a.m. January 3, 2016, at the Sherman Home Hospice in Phoenix, Ariz.
She was born on April 28, 1946, in Lima to parents Calvin Gustave Elshoff and Vivian Elizabeth (Fledderjohann) Elshoff.
Survivors include her husband Stuart Brown and daughters Heather and Melissa Brown of Scottsdale, Ariz., and brother Larry Elshoff of Lake City, Fla.
She grew up in New Knoxville, was a member of the First United Church of Christ in New Knoxville, and was a lifetime member of the New Knoxville Historical Society.
She studied occupational therapy at Ohio State University in Lima. She met her husband Stu in the summer of 1966 while both worked as camp counselors in Idyllwild, Calif. They were married six months later and were together nearly 49 years. They made their home in Escondido, Calif., where she worked as a certified medical assistant for several doctors. They moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., in 2001 and enjoyed retirement and desert living.
She will be remembered by all who knew her as a selfless, compassionate, and caring friend and a devoted wife and mother. She showed courageous strength in the face of adversity, always maintaining a positive attitude and was an inspiration to others.
A luncheon and memorial service will be held at noon May 1 at First Church's Ministry Center in New Knoxville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donna's memory to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 E. Ohio St., Suite 304, Chicago, IL, 60611, (888) 733-6741, PulmonaryFibrosis.Donorpages.com/Tribute/DonnaBrown.