Thelma (Nowak) Brown

Thelma L. Brown, 101, of Walbridge, Ohio was called to be with her Lord on Monday, August 7, 2023 at Gardens of St. Francis.  She was born on November 9, 1921 in Grant County, Indiana to Homer and Nettie (Stewart) Horner.  She lived for ten years at Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home at Knightstown, Indiana.  After graduating from Ball State University in 1944, Thelma entered into the Army Nurse Corp in February 1945 and she served at Wakeman General Hospital for 14 months.

On July 13, 1946 she married Stanley “Charlie” Nowak at Nativity Church in Toledo.  After starting her family, she worked at St. Charles Hospital for 28 years and advanced to Patient Care Director before retirement in 1985.  After 1985 she volunteered at the hospital working for great people in the medical staff offices.  While working at St. Charles she represented the hospital on many community projects.  Some outstanding ones were to establish the mobile meals program and to introduce discharge planning in Lucas County and surrounding counties.  In 2005, Thelma married Kenneth Brown at St. Jerome Church in Walbridge and they were devoted to each other for the last 18 years of her life.

Thelma was a founding member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, Altar Rosary Sodality, Cardinal Stritch’s Baretta Club, St. Charles Hospital Auxiliary, and member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honorary Society.  She was also an active member of Christ Dunberger American Legion Post #537 and a delegate to Lucas County Council for several years.  Her family, many friends, Church, and the American Legion were very important to her.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Stanley Nowak; son, Lawrence (Carol) Nowak; daughter, Barbara Anne Costanzo; sister, Florence Rambo; sister, Marion Doty, and brother, Jack Horner. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Brown; and son Paul (Rocky) Nowak and son-in-law Gus (Charlotte) Costanzo; grandchildren, Nick (Amie) Costanzo; Gina (Rodman) Schley; and Josh Nowak and many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren who were very special to her.  She is also survived by Kenneth’s children Robert Brown, Karen (Mark) Morrison, Kenneth (Cyndi) Brown, and Ron (Irma) Brown, Sharon (Denny) Meyer.

Family and friends may visit the Freck Funeral Chapel, 1155 S. Wynn Rd in Oregon on Thursday, August 10, 2023, from 2-8:00 p.m. where legion services will be held at 7:00 p.m.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 11 at St. Jerome Catholic Church where family will greet guests after 9:00 a.m.  Burial will follow at Lake Township Cemetery.  Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jerome Catholic Church or Christ Dunberger American Legion Post #537.