Ilo May Brown

July 25, 1932 - January 6, 2018

Ilo M. Brown passed away on Jan. 6, 2018 at Parkcliffe Alzheimer’s Community in Toledo after a long courageous fight. She was 85. Ilo was born on July 25, 1932 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to Elsworth and Annabelle Gagle. She was a 1950 graduate of DeVilbiss High School. She married her High School sweetheart, Duane Brown on April 11, 1953. Ilo was a stay at home Mom while her 2 children were young. She served as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She enjoyed being an Avon lady while they lived in Arlington Heights, Illinois for a couple years. Ilo learned the florist industry when they moved back to Toledo in the fall of 1969 to run the family business, Manzel Flowers. Her specialty was making bridal bouquets and corsages. She became the bridal consultant and made sure thousands of brides had beautiful flowers on their special day. Ilo and Duane spent five years living in Tennessee during retirement and enjoyed many visits to Dollywood. She loved to watch the Kingdom Heirs perform. She was very artistic and enjoying painting. During her retirement years, Ilo met regularly with her “crafty girls” group to do crafts and chit chat. In 2013, Ilo became a resident at Parkcliffe and Duane visited faithfully almost daily until he passed away on Sept. 11, 2016. The last few years, she has also been under the loving care of ProMedica Hospice. Ilo would greet you with a big smile and had concern for her fellow residents. She tried to comfort them the best she could when she felt they needed it. Her mind may have forgotten, but her heart remembered. She is survived by her daughter Robin (Al) VanHorn; son Kevin (Mary) Brown; grandchildren, Sandy (Justin) Binder, Kurran Brown, Zak Brown, and Ryan Brown; great grandchildren Kelsey Rowley, Katie Blazey, Ethan Branum, and Abigail Binder; sister Barbara Smith; brother Lee (Sue) Gagle. She is preceded in death by her husband Duane, her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Mary Gagle, and her parents. A Memorial Service will be held at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 1 p.m. where the family will begin receiving guests at 11:30 a.m. The family would like to extend their appreciation to all the special people that lovingly cared for and visited with our Mom.