Mercedes Argelia Brown

Mercedes Brown passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls.

A funeral liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 16, 2023, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Mercedes was born in 1931 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She had a taste of the island life with crab legs being an after school treat and summers all year round with her friends. After graduation, she left San Juan for college life in Alabama. She studied hard to get her degree as a dietician where she worked at the prestigious Lennox Hospital in Manhattan, NY. This was not easy as English was her second language. It was at Auburn University that Mercedes met the love of her life, Jack Brown. The two married and settled into military life. Mom raised four children while moving out of the country and state to state until retiring in Great Falls, a city and state they both loved.

She joined Gallery 16 in the mid 70’s. There she was able to show her beautiful watercolor paintings and make lifelong friends with the members of the gallery. She entered many paintings into the state fair competition winning Best of Show one year. That painting was purchased by the fair and hangs proudly in their permanent collection.

Mercedes had many luncheon groups and small lunches with friends. She loved going to lunch and shopping afterwards, making sure that she was home to greet us kids when we got out of school.

She was a wonderful mother, grand, and great-grandmother. She was lovingly called “Grandma Bama” by her youngest grandchildren as she was an avid Auburn Tigers football fan. She knew nothing about football when she came to the states but was told by her college peers that if she wanted to fit in she better figure it out and she did. Mercedes loved Auburn and was able to attend her 65th college reunion where she became a “golden eagle.” She was able to celebrate in Auburn with family. It was a very special trip for her and the family.

Mom will be remembered for her loving heart, love of family, and special friends.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Myra and Vic Bortka of San Diego, CA, Richard and Joette Brown of Ulm, Phyllis Brown and Max Bernard of upstate New York, and Carol Brown of Glendale, AZ; grandchildren, Justin and Penny Jarrett of Wyoming, Lindsay Hendrix of Idaho, Ashley Brown of Missoula, and EJ and Mercedes Radina both of Glendale, AZ; great-grandchildren, Morgan and Jack Hendrix of Idaho; several nieces and nephews; and brothers and sisters-in-law. That was special for her to have such a large family, as she was raised as an only child.

We will miss you, momma. War Eagle!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Peace Hospice of Great Falls or the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center.