Marvel Grace Brown's Obituary
A mass of Christian burial will be held for Marvel Grace Brown, 11:00 AM, Thursday, July 11, 2024, at St. Frederic Catholic Church. Marvel passed away June 16, 2024, she was 89 years old.
Marvel was born in St. Helens, Oregon, June 10, 1935, to Alexander and Florence (Spady) Blankenship. She graduated from St. Helens High School in 1953. Marvel married Les Brown on June 15, 1962, in St. Helens at the Christian Church. She was a member of St Frederic Catholic church since 1961. She served as a reader, was on the admin council, treasurer of the Women’s Society, and served as chairman of the Christmas Society. Marvel started bowling in 1965 and became very involved in her local bowling league as well at the State level; She served as Secretary for Rivertown League for many years, she ran the Oregon State Women’s Tournament from 1982-1992, and was the secretary for the Oregon State United Bowling Congress from 1992-1998. In 1987 Marvel was inducted into the St. Helens Bowling Hall of Fame and in 2017 she was inducted into the USBC Oregon State Hall of Fame. Marvel worked as a bookkeeper for 15 years at Cooper Auto Parts and then for Boise Veneer from 1988 – 1992. In 2009 she started volunteering at the St. Helens Senior Center and in 2015 started working for them full time until her retirement in 2019. She was a member of the St. Helens Yacht club and Moose Lodge.
Marvel was loved by so many and is survived by her children: Neta Minten of Keizer, JeAnne Waite of Meeker, Colorado, Donna Brown of Hillsboro, Jeri Waite of Scappoose, Keri Merriman of St. Helens, Curtis Waite of Gilbert, Arizona and Leslie Heimuller of St. Helens. She has 22 grandkids, 45 great grandkids, and numerous great great grandkids. She was preceded in death by her husband Lester Brown, daughter Connie Oswalt, son Lester “Arthur” Brown, siblings; Jean Aust, Kathrine Brown, Marge Rieman, and Bill Blankenship.
Donations in her name can be made to the St. Helens Senior Center.
What’s your fondest memory of Marvel?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marvel?
Share a story where Marvel's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marvel you’ll never forget.
How did Marvel make you smile?
