Rose Mary Brown (nee Matijevich)
It is with deep sorrow and much love that the family of Rose Mary Brown (nee Matijevich) announce her peaceful passing on April 26, 2025, at the age of 90 years. Surrounded by her loving family and caregivers, Rose made the most beautiful transition to the spirit world to be reunited with her husband, mother, father, sister and the many friends whom she missed so dearly. Born on March 14, 1935, in Sudbury, Ontario, she is the daughter of Croatian Immigrants, Mile and Rose Matijevich (both predeceased in 1976 and 2000).
Rose was a loving and caring wife to her husband Kenneth Brown (predeceased 1999). Stepmother to Jo-Ann (Lynn) Evoy, James (Wendy), Janice (Terry predeceased) Tourigny, Jack predeceased (companion Linda Bot), and daughter-in-law Bonnie Brown who brought Rose so much joy with their visits together, the letters, pictures and cards she sent to Rose over the years. Grandmother to John and Jim Evoy, Stephen Brown and Jennifer Onstein, Lee and Matthew Tourigny, and Laura Faye Brown. Great grandmother to many grandchildren.
Rose was a sister to Natalie (Earl) Retty (both predeceased), John (Inara) Matijevich, and Mary Gautreau. Aunt to Trudy Searle, Pegi Dahm (Don predeceased), Rosalind (Bob) DaPrat, Marc (Sheila) Matijevich, Peter Matijevich, Jim (Shawna) Mills, and Mina Rose (Marc) Thibeault. Great Aunt to Tyler (Kasey) Searle, Shira (Jeff) Krieger, Shawn Koza (partner Taylor Voth), Melissa (Jeff) Sheffield, Marnie Mooney, Julia (David) Belfoi, Robert DaPrat, Mara, Hillary, Eden, Ethan and Noah Mills.
Rose was a very loving great aunt to Benjamin Thibeault, and they shared a special bond; spending time together always brought Rose so much happiness to her life. Godmother to nieces Rosalind DaPrat and Mina Rose Thibeault. Rose was special lifelong friends with Lola and Harvey Cormier, Rena Jelenic, Mary Furac, Slavi Tomac, Irene Ovis (all predeceased), Mary and Dhiran (predeceased) Sinha, and Melanie Kanerva.
Rose grew up northeast of the Sudbury downtown core, well known to everyone as the Donovan. An older yet unique neighborhood with a rich heritage and multiculturalism with a village-like feel. As a child, Rose was involved with the Croatian Kolo and Tamburica Performers and in keeping with her Roman Catholic faith, she attended Holy Trinity Church. She enjoyed spending time with friends from Lansdowne Public School where she attended before she moved on to study at Sudbury High School.
As a teen she was an avid bowler at Notre Dame Bowl and received many trophies for her accomplishments. After completing her High School studies, she gained employment at Sudbury General Hospital as a Clerk and later moved on to work at International Acceptance Group with good friends Mary and Slavi. While visiting at her friends Lola and Harvey’s camp in the French River, this is where she was first introduced to Kenneth Brown; the man who became the love of her life and she soon after married in 1966.
Rose lived a wonderful life where she was able to travel the world with her husband Ken and experience many cultures while also making friends along the way, whom she continued to correspond with even in her later years of life. They spent their winters in the home they built in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, summers at their camp in the French River, and their home on Long Lake, which was often the entertainment hub for gatherings with family and friends. Rose was always up for a good game of scrabble and had a standing Friday night card playing date with friends that lasted for 36 years. She had a great love of dogs, and her Cocker Spaniel Shane and Black Lab Whistler brought many years of companionship and joy to her life.
Rose was one strong lady, and her strength was especially apparent in the several years she was wholly committed to caring for her husband Ken through his illness and in the final years of his life. Although she didn’t have a green thumb like Ken and really didn’t like the feeling of having her hands in the earth, she did love the beautiful gardens Ken created. Even after his passing, she remained passionate to continue to be surrounded by this same beauty no matter where she lived; would often comment how it made her feel like Ken was right there with her.
Rose had a kind and giving heart and supported several charities and initiatives in the community. It was nothing for her to write a cheque for a cause near and dear to her heart. A Mary Kay Rep for 38 years, she would flood family and friends with ample supplies of skin care products for every birthday and special holiday adamant our skin needed the attention to look as good as hers.
Rose spent her final years feeling grateful for the life she lived and all the great experiences and memories she made along the way. Reminiscing daily to anyone who would listen leaving a huge imprint on their hearts. Happy to have made new friends at the Home she resided in, she enjoyed the company of her gal pals Gwendolyn, Katherine, Honorata, Aline and especially Donna who would sit with Rose in the lounge after dinner, talking for hours while both sipping on a glass of wine together.
The great love and appreciation Rose had for Renee, who cared for Rose with incredible love, thoughtfulness and compassion; always taking care of every one of Rose’s needs especially in the final days of her life. The family will also never forget the unwavering support by so many others who were also a part of Rose’s direct care; family friends Tracy, Renee and Junior, Linda and Stef, Devon, Andrée and Ghislaine, Nick, Tammy, Cindy and Ric, Joanne, and countless others who supported the family over the years with care relief, check-ins and late-night phone calls.
Rose and our family were fortunate to be surrounded by so many people who loved and cared about us so much. Rose will always be remembered as a loving and dedicated wife, having a loving, and kind heart with an infectious smile that brought happiness and joy to those around her.
In keeping with Rose’s final wishes, cremation will take place and there will be a private gathering to celebrate her life, followed by interment at Park Lawn Cemetery where Rose will be laid to rest with her mother and father. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rose’s Memory can be made to Pet Save Sudbury and Maison McCulloch Hospice.
Ružo…Neka te Gospodin primi raširenih ruku, a tvoji voljeni zagrle s ljubavlju. Nastavi nas čuvati i voditi kako bismo pronašli mir i ljubav u svojim srcima. Volimo te beskrajno i zauvijek ćeš živjeti u našim srcima.