Adelaide "Addie" Brown

Adelaide Villani was born on December 26, 1928, in the Bronx, New York, to Matteo and Louisa Villani. She was a first-generation American whose family roots trace back to the village of San Marco in Foggia, Italy. Adelaide was the youngest of six children and she was affectionately known to her family and friends as “Adeline” or “Addie.” She met the love of her life on a blind date in 1947. Struck by his big blue eyes, 19-year-old Addie and U.S. Navy, World War II veteran Norman Brown were instantly inseparable and the two would go on to marry on July 10, 1949. The couple had four children, two boys and two girls. Addie made no secret of the fact that her children were her pride and joy. Often working two jobs at a time to make ends meet, Norman and Addie made tremendous sacrifices so their children would have ample opportunity to succeed in life. Although she loved them unconditionally, like all great mothers, she didn’t bite her tongue when they stepped out of line. For many years she worked as a bank teller for Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City. She always dressed in the latest fashions and worked all around the metro NYC area. She prided herself on making every person who came to her bank window crack a smile before they left. Addie had a knack for numbers and a great sense of humor. She never passed up an opportunity to hear a good joke or get in on a card game. Truly ahead of her time, she was a renaissance woman before it was popular. In 1982 she and Norman traded the hustle and bustle of New York City for the sun and sand of Florida. There she worked as travel secretary in the Athletics Department at Florida Atlantic University. Upon retirement in 1993, they settled in Marietta, Georgia. When she survived Norman, she moved in with her youngest daughter in Georgia before moving to Sylvania, Ohio in 2011 to live with her eldest daughter. Addie truly flourished during the last decade of her life. She reveled in both the attention and responsibility that came with being the matriarch of the family. Using the distinct aroma of Italian baked goodness to draw you in, she didn’t hesitate to give counsel when needed and yet she was wise enough to know when just listening would do the trick. She was one of those rare selfless people who measured success by the amount of love she showed others. With a huge heart, quick wit, and a helping hand, she had a spirit of generosity that defied logic. She was the definition of a great woman and her legacy will forever be one of unconditional love. Addie is survived by her four children and their spouses: Norman Brown (Marcelle), Barbara Lundgren (Gene), Andrew Brown (Michelle), and Mary Ann Colanero; her grandchildren: Louisa Shumaker (Ted), Matthew Brown, Marielle Brown, Michael Colanero and his fiancée Amanda Burke, and Danielle Brown; great-grandson Walter Shumaker; sister-in-law Susan Brown; and many nieces and nephews. Addie’s children would like to thank all of her caregivers at Oak Leaf Village and Goerlich Center for the care and comfort they gave her over the past seven years. Special thanks to Sara and Kyle for making her laugh and for the endless card games. Much gratitude and thanks are given to Dr. Chris Zona and Dr. Jeanine Huttner for being her advocates through thick and thin. A celebration of Addie’s life will take place at a later date in New York, where her extended family can all be a part of a big Italian homecoming. Arrivederci, Mom, until we meet again. Ti vogliamo bene! We love you.