BROWN, DOLORES EILEEN CURTIS

Dolores Eileen Curtis Brown, 84, longtime resident of Neptune Beach, FL, formerly of Middletown, NJ and Mattoon, Ill, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.  Dodie, as she was affectionately known to friends, died Monday evening, March 14, 2016 at Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
Dolores was born in Taylorville, Illinois on December 6, 1931 to Rollie William and Vivian Genelle (Jean Miller) Curtis. She was proud to be of Irish descent and let it be known. She lived in both Springfield and Taylorville, Illinois. After marrying her sweetheart Bill Brown, they settled in Mattoon, Illinois to raise their daughter Deborah Pixie Brown. There she and her girlfriends participated in all the exciting activities for mothers and friends. They spent time winning bowling tournaments, playing scrabble and card games, skiing at the lake, picnicking and antiquing. She discovered she had an artistic talent that included painting, crocheting, cake decorating, and silk flower arranging. Dodie relished motherhood and took her daughter to countless dance classes and recitals; basketball and football games. Bill received an opportunity in 1968 to work for Anheuser Busch in Newark, New Jersey so off they all went to the new adventures in the East.
But yet another longing was tugging at her heart and that was to be the ultimate Grandma. So again, off she went in 1983 to Florida to be with her daughter and grandchildren. Her husband Bill followed as soon as he could retire. She and Bill built a new house and Dolores began her new career of being the best grandma ever. She inspired her granddaughter Kelsey Bledsoe to be the best swimmer and her grandson Will Bledsoe to tough out sweltering tennis tournaments. Some of the best times were spent camping at Disney’s Ft. Wilderness.
Then two more accomplishments for this grandma came in small packages. Little great-grandsons Liam and Grady were a special blessing. But unfortunately she could not hold them in her arms as she did Kelsey and Will. Instead she watched and smiled and wished she was strong enough to care for them too.  For this Grandma, family was everything and she was good at it.
Dolores is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, William “Bill “Henry Brown, Jr. daughter, Deborah Pixie Bledsoe (Steve) of Neptune Beach, granddaughter Kelsey Hellstrom (Eric) of St. Augustine, grandson Will Bledsoe of Neptune Beach, great-grandsons Liam and Grady Hellstrom of St. Augustine. Both her parents, stepfather Frank Hayward, and sister Norma Ruth Heckwine preceded her in death. She is also survived by 8 nephews and nieces.
Dolores cared deeply for her family dogs and especially Molly whom she leaves behind. She requests memorial donations in her name be made to the Jacksonville Humane Society or No More Homeless Pets.
Family and friends will gather for a celebration and remembrances at Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home, 3600, 3rd Street South in Jacksonville Beach, Sunday, March 20, 2016, 1-3pm. Please come and bring your “Happy” faces. There will be no viewing.
A Graveside Service will be held at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 1-1:30pm. 
Services under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home.