Roxella Brown

Roxella (Roxie) Donohue Brown, passed away on March 18, 2020 at the age of 87. She was born to Murl Burton Donohue and Myrtle May Redford on January 6, 1933 in the family’s log home in Talmage, Duchesne County, Utah. She grew up spending most of her time on the family farm in Talmage, but also spending time in the coal camps in Reins, Carbon County, Utah where her father was a miner. Roxie married Leon Hall Brown on January 22, 1952 in the Manti Temple. Leon and Roxie bought the family farm in Talmage, living there for ten years. After they sold the farm, they moved to Tooele, Utah. There they had two children: Jesse Leon and Rebecca. Roxie provided childcare in her home while Leon worked at the Army Depot. Later Roxie spent 10 years working as a nurse’s aide at the Tooele Nursing Home. She dearly loved the people she served, and they loved her. In her senior years Roxie spent many happy hours at the Tooele Senior Center, much of it as a greeter. She loved the Center and all the people she met there. Trips to Wendover with the Seniors were a favorite activity. She was blessed to have wonderful and special friendships with many. Roxie was very talented. She always had a beautiful yard full of flowers. She made wonderful hand-stitched quilts. She was talented with crocheting, making butterflies, slippers, slinky toys, and gorgeous dresses worn by her granddaughters. As most know, Roxie was accidentally shot as a teenager. Unfortunately, this accident caused her to endure 5 total hip surgeries and tremendous pain. She survived endless ridicule from classmates, and day after day of physical therapy after each surgery. Mom fought through heart failure several times this year and after receiving a new battery for her pacemaker a couple of months ago, I figured she would live another 87 years. Each time I saw her she would ask me: “Why hasn’t God taken me yet”? Each time I would tell her that it was between her and God and he must still need her to be here. She would answer with: “I’ve asked him, but he doesn’t answer me!” Well, I guess he finally decided that her mission was complete, or he got tired of hearing her asking. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-five years, Leon Hall Brown, her parents, and all her siblings. Brothers: John William, Ned Burton, Rex, Gerald Bud, and Ralph Max. Sisters: Dora Elmina, Lena Mae, and Rosalie. She is survived by her son Jesse Leon (DeAnn) Brown, daughter Rebecca (Ken) Johnson, and by her grandchildren April Brown, Cierra (Carlos) Valdovinos, Michaela Brown, Honey (Sean) Brisbin, Dustin (Stacy) Johnson, Brandy (Robbie) Bowman. Also, her great grandchildren: Destinee Rasmussen, Alyssa Rasmussen, Jared Brisbin Braden Brisbin, Kylie Johnson, Jacob Johnson, and Her Namesake Roxella (Roxy) Noel Valdovinos (she was elated when she found out she was going to have a child named after her because she had always dreamed of that). Finally, her many nieces and nephews who were also special to her. Roxie was always happy and smiling even in the hard times. She lived by this motto/song: “Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too. When your heart is filled with love, others will love you”. We thank Dr Sara Carstensen, the nurses and staff of the Rocky Mountain Care - Willow Springs and the doctors, nurses and staff of the Mountain West Medical Center and all others that have assisted in her medical needs. In lieu of flowers that will just be eaten by the deer, treat your family to a dinner in her memory. Graveside service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2020, at 1:00 pm in the Tooele City Cemetery (361 S 100 E).

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