On February 17, 2022, at 3:11PM, the world lost a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, confident and friend, Barbara Ann Brown.

Barb was born in Omaha, Nebraska on March 8, 1937, to Chet and Mary Bilake.

With Chet being in the service, and eventually being stationed overseas, moving every couple of years was just part of life. Before he was deployed, Chet moved his family to a 2-story home in Michigan that turned out to be haunted. Barb and her mom would be in the kitchen and hear the toilet flush upstairs. They would hear footsteps going up and down the stairs at night. Chet thought ‘his girls’ were just kidding with him until his first night back from deployment, he heard the footsteps too. Needless to say, the packing of the house began immediately, and Albuquerque was their chosen destination.

Barbara was a proud graduate of Highland High in Albuquerque. At her own admission, she was not a ‘great’ student, but she was enthusiastic. One of her first jobs was for Yellow Trucking. She would always say she did more with that $1.00 an hour pay than anyone could imagine.

Barb married Bill Smith in the late 50’s and had a son, Michael Dean on November 24, 1959. Unfortunately, Michael did not survive the delivery. Not being able to put this tragedy behind them, the marriage ended soon afterwards.

Barb married Merwyn Brown and had a daughter, Debbie in July 1963 and a son, Dennis in April 1970.

She was introduced into the bowling world in early 60’ and just like in her younger days, moving every couple of years throughout the Northern United States became normal. Seattle, Portland, Baker City, Post Falls and Boise were just a few of the stops throughout her life where the family managed or owned bowling centers. Barb became quite the accomplished bowler averaging 190+ for numerous years. Her high game of 290 (picked up the 4-9 her first frame) and high series of 807 (picked up the 4-7-10 in the 10th frame of the last game) was always something she joked about. She was overheard telling people that she was the worst bowler in the family.

Barb loved playing bingo. Her excitement when she yelled ‘Bingo’ radiated throughout the room. Her love of making jewelry began in 1998. She was very successful at selling her necklaces, earrings, and bracelets at craft fairs after she retired.

Barb has been described as beautiful, spunky, feisty, funny, sassy, full of fire, sweet, strong, kind, fearless but most of all a loving woman. She had a smile that could light up a room and even in death, cannot be dimmed. She was forgiving and understanding, never focusing on your flaws, rather finding ways to help you be better. She was a woman who loved her children and grandchildren fiercely.

Her smile, laughter, and yelling ‘toot toot’ after a strike does not compare with the joy she took in showing everyone her favorite ‘trick’….lifting her leg above her head.

In her 84 years, she had some amazing highs and some terrible lows that were met with tolerance and forgiveness. Her happy go lucky lifestyle left a mark on everyone she had the opportunity to meet. She blessed us all with her wit and honesty, laughter, humor, and friendship.

When she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer on December 9, 2021, she was scared but quickly put it in perspective. She immediately dismissed treatment. Barb knew she was ‘forgetting’ things and explained to the oncologist that ‘you might cure the cancer, but you can’t cure my mind’.

After the diagnosis, she talked about her final wishes. How she would like ‘My Way’ played during her final moments, didn’t want us to cry and to ‘keep doing what we do’.

Dennis wrote it best when he said, “She will always be mom, my confident, my protector, my defender and my forever first love.” No truer words were ever written about the woman that brought us all together and made us better just by knowing her.

Left behind to honor her memory is her daughter Debbie (Todd) son Dennis (Frances) and grandchildren Dale, Lynne (Jackson), Alex and her namesake great-granddaughter Annabelle. Living in Colorado for the last 10 years, she was lovingly adopted by Todd’s children. Holly Jo (Justin), Trish (Scott), Ross (Andrea) Taylor and the grandchildren Grant, Jayden, Lucas, Paige, Peyton, and Morgan. And of course, Oscar Meier Weiner…her 4-legged child that brought her constant laughter and joy.

A big THANK YOU to Donna Capps, Barb’s BFF of almost 40 years. They took trips together, talked on the phone daily, and supported each other through good times and bad.

Barb was the bright light in our lives. She kept us together and held us close. She let us make mistakes without comment and celebrated our achievements. She will always be honored, treasured, and missed more than words can every express.

Bowl with the angel’s mom. We will do our best to make you proud down here. Love you to the moon and back NAFAAD.

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