Mary Catherine Boring was born in Lisbon, Ohio, the sixth child of Lon and Mary Boring. She grew up in that beautiful small town and graduated from Lisbon High School in 1939.

In 1943, to the surprise of her family, she decided she wanted to serve her country in the United States Women's Army Corps. She became a Sergeant serving at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. As bombs were tested, Mary's job was to measure bomb trajectories. She enjoyed the exciting, though dangerous, work.

While still serving at Aberdeen Proving Ground, she met Sergeant William F. Brown. After a brief courtship, they were married in Aberdeen on July 8, 1944.

In 1950, Mary moved with her husband and two little girls to Columbus, Ohio, to assist him in reaching his educational goals and an even brighter future for the family. She was always right there caring for the family and spent many nights typing his papers. Mary and Bill had four children when he graduated from Ohio State University in 1955.

She moved to Richland in 1961 when her husband accepted a career enhancing transfer with the General Electric Company at Hanford. Mary was an involved mother of four while keeping an immaculate house and yard. In 1968, Mary surprised her husband with a beautiful son – their fifth child and a huge blessing to them both.

Mary enjoyed her life out West – especially when she built her home in West Richland. She loved entertaining her family as well as friends for over 30 years in her "house on the hill." She was truly the "hub" of the family and will be truly missed.

Mary was preceded in death by Bill, her loving husband of sixty-six years. She is survived by her five children: Regina Flowers, Francine Albaugh, Bill Brown, Michelle Meyer, and Tom Brown. There are nine grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

There will be a private mass for the family in honor of Mary's life. A donation may be made to Hospice in lieu of flowers. The Brown Family would like to extend their thanks to their caregivers over these many years.