Marie was born in Atlantic City, NJ on December 4, 1954 to her parents, Carl and Vera Brown. She graduated from Holy Spirit High School and went on to attend St. Francis of Loretto College. She was unable to complete her 4 years due to a serious illness that then shaped her future career.
Marie attended Einstein Nursing School in Philadelphia, earning her RN degree which was required for her to enter the field of Enterostomal Therapy which then expanded into Wound and Continence. She developed a nursing practice, Etris Associates, with multiple nurses who were on staff as consultants at most northeast Philadelphia area hospitals as well as the Philadelphia Prison System and Philadelphia Nursing Home.
As the wound care industry evolved, Marie developed a new direction as an expert witness for pressure wound and related litigation cases, developing quite a following of various law firms. Marie also gained notoriety beyond the Philadelphia area as she served on committees for Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and was President of the Northeast Region of Wound, Ostomy, & Continence Nurses Society. She also participated in numerous clinical trials for new product development for various manufactures in health care.
While attending Einstein, Marie met Stephen, who she married in November 1982. Their marriage of 41 years was filled with their mutual love of camping, skiing and traveling to New England, Colorado and Canada over the years. These trips included their daughter, Jillian, who they brought into their home in 1994 and subsequently adopted. Raising Jill was always a labor of love for Marie who often took Jill on rounds at a very early age, leading Jill to follow in Marie’s footsteps of also becoming an RN.
Marie also thoroughly enjoyed their mountain house in Whitehaven, PA and all the friendships developed there.
Marie positively touched everyone who she met. She was a loyal friend, honest professional with integrity and generous mentor to many. She was liked by all.
She is survived by her husband, Stephen, daughter, Jillian, sister, Nancy Garback and her husband, Tom and their two children, Jessica and Tommy. Additionally, Marie is survived by her grand dog, Puck, who she was quite fond of and would take on daily walks around the neighborhood. Marie was preceded in death by her brother, Carl.
Family will receive friends beginning 9:30 AM on Thursday, July 27 at Davisville Church, 325 Street Road, Southampton, PA 18966 followed by a memorial service beginning at 11 AM.
In keeping with Marie’s strong belief in helping others, memorial donations can be made in Marie’s name to the following two missionary organizations dedicated to educating and teaching Christianity to children in Cambodia.
1) Refuge for the Poor, PO Box 548, Hatboro PA 19040 https://refugeforthepoor.org
2) World Team USA 1431 Stuckert Road, Warrington PA 18976 : Project 044016 “Plas Prai” https://us.worldteam.org
DONATIONS
Refuge For the PoorPO Box 548, Hatboro, Pennsylvania 19040
2) World Team USA : Project 044016 “Plas Prai” 1431 Stuckert Road, Warrington, Pennsylvania 18976
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