Patricia Brown Obituary 

Patricia Brown

Sunrise: November 28, 1950

Sunset: August 4, 2025

Patricia (Thomas) Brown, age 74 of Willingboro, NJ passed away peacefully on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Samaritan Hospice in Voorhees, NJ.

Patricia was born on November 28, 1950, to the late Charles James and Virginia Thomas. She was the only daughter and youngest of three children. She grew up with brothers Larry and Gregory. Depending on the family member, she was affectionately known as, Patsy or Patty. Friends and colleagues knew her as Pat.

Patricia was educated in the Philadelphia Public School system. She graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1968. Throughout her childhood, she was exposed to the family fuel oil business. She shadowed her father and aunts to learn about fuel oil distribution and business management. That experience enabled her to develop her business acumen at a young age.

In June of 1971, she married Marvin W. Brown, Jr. In 1973, they welcomed one daughter into the world - Marlo Patrice. After 14 years of marriage, they parted ways. Patricia devoted her life to her family, primarily focused on raising her daughter, aiding her parents and working for the family business part-time.

In 1989, Patricia enrolled in Burlington County Community College and earned credits in business administration. After her daughter became a young adult, she sought a full-time job.

In 2000, Patricia was hired by Burlington County Community Action Program as an application processor for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Experience from the family business was invaluable. Patricia became well versed in state regulations and processes for disbursing grant funds for applicants’ home heating and cooling needs. She was promoted to assistant coordinator and advocated for families in need to restore utility services or prevent service shutoffs. Patricia served the community for 19 years and retired in 2019.

Patricia was a Christian and loved the Lord. She enjoyed simple things in life - treasured time with family and friends, traveling with her daughter, dining out, movies, and buying jewelry. She was compassionate and considered others’ needs first. However, she was known for telling anyone trying to limit her in anyway, “Don’t rain on my parade!”

Patricia is survived by her daughter Marlo Patrice Brown and her brother Larry Thomas. She is also survived by one aunt and several cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.

All are invited to attend her celebration of life ceremony on Friday, August 22nd at May Funeral Home, 49 Pine Street, Willingboro, NJ. A period of meditation will begin at 10 a. m. followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to: Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation: www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org.

Condolences can be sent to:

May Funeral Home c/o Marlo Brown, 49 Pine Street, Willingboro, NJ 08046.