November 17, 2019
It is with the greatest and deepest sense of sadness that we announce the passing of Dolly at her residence on November 17th, 2019 at the age of 90 years. She is now reunited with her beloved husband Milo who passed away on May 28th, 2016.
Dolly will be lovingly remembered by her son, Craig Brown; her daughter, Melissa (David) Weaver; her grandchildren, Danielle (Curtis) Usher and Christopher Dyke; her beloved nephew, Johnny (Dana) Reid and their family, Ryan (Amy) Reid and Reagan (Savannah) Reid; great-niece, Tracy Ann Hardin; her adopted family by love, Barb and Robbie Ryan, who for the past 28 years were included as family and loved by both Dolly and Milo; and Gina, who for the past 8 years along side Barb loved and cared for her until her passing; her step-son-in-law, Jim Burry; as well as many other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members and loving close friends. She was predeceased by her son, Rance Brown; her step-daughter, Carol Burry; and all of her siblings, Billy, Jimmy, Harold and Mary Elizabeth.
Dolly was born on December 19th, 1928 in Lecompte, Louisiana and spent her childhood years on a Plantation in Gillam, Louisiana which was owned by her father, John Reid. She attended University where she majored in Languages, with Spanish being her primary one, which proved to be so useful when she studied abroad in Argentina. Dolly spent many of her younger years in Houston, Texas and later upon returning to Louisiana, she met Milo who was on a visiting trip to Louisiana. They fell in love and Dolly decided to leave the States and got married to Milo on April 22nd, 1976 in Burnaby, B.C., to whom she would be married to for 43 years. In the early 1980s, Milo came to Vernon and scouted out a beautiful piece of property on Swan Lake that would be an ideal spot to keep his float plane. A couple of years later, after their house was built, Milo and Dolly settled into their home, where they both remained all these years until they both passed away.
Dolly loved gardening. She was so proud of her beautiful garden filled with the most amazing, rare irises which she had planted and cared for until she was no longer able to do so because of declining health. Dolly enjoyed cooking, listening to music and the house was always filled with music when anyone came to visit. She loved dancing, watching old time movies and most especially entertaining. Dolly never lost her Louisiana accent as well as her humorous nature, her funny sayings or her strong will and they truly became a trademark of her dynamic personality. Dolly was generous, kind and loving but she was also very matter of fact and always said "it like it is". Even after her stroke when she could no longer speak, she was still in charge and remained "the boss" with the same force of will, continuing to live life on her terms. Dolly's strength of will was a force to be reckoned with. She was an incredibly strong woman who overcame many obstacles in her life, never gave up and often at times against all odds, along with her faith, surmounted whatever challenges she was faced with. She did this with so much strong determination and sheer will, right to the very end.
Dolly spent a lot of her years with Milo enjoying fishing, hunting and flying, where they loved being together spending time in nature. Today she is free to be with her beloved Milo, flying freely in the skies above and enjoying all the irises she can tend to. Our memories of Dolly, her love, and her personality will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved her.
In respecting Dolly's wishes, she was cremated and there will be no funeral service held. As an act of remembrance and appreciation of love for all that Dolly meant to you, plant an iris in your garden and care for it as Dolly would have or send a donation in her memory to the B.C. Heart & Stroke Foundation, 4-1551 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9M9.
Cremation arrangements have been made with
Bethel Funeral Chapel Ltd.,
5605-27th Street, Vernon, B.C. V1T 8Z5
250-542-1187
Bethel Funeral Chapel Ltd