Debra Lynn Brown

Debra Brown, 75, of Frederick, Maryland, passed away on July 30th, surrounded by family. She was born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, in March 1951 to Charlotte and William Brown. Debra grew up in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, and graduated with an English degree from Penn State University; she was married, had children, and later remarried.

She was resourceful, brave, and had the courage to reinvent her life and career several times, but the role she cherished most was being a mother to her four children. Make no mistake, though-Debra was extraordinary.

She was a beloved grandmother, mother, and wife. Home was always wherever she was. No matter how long you had been gone, or how far away life had taken you, being with her always felt like coming home. She was fiercely loyal and always there when you needed her, no matter the distance or the hour. She was strong, fearless, and absolutely certain of who she was. She had a gift for making holidays magical, an irrepressible- and often irreverent-wit, the very best hugs, and somehow made life's hardships feel just a little lighter.

Her love was unconditional, and whenever one of her children said, "I love you," her answer was always, "I love you more." She had a way of making every person she loved feel like the most important person in the room. She remembered the little things you forgot you had ever told her, sat quietly in the dark while you poured out your teenage heart, was always the first to call you on your "birthday eve" with a birthday song she had written just for you, and wasn't above convincing you to play hooky from school to see a movie together. No matter what was happening in her own life, she always made you feel there was time for you. She found the same love when she met her husband Leon- together they would share new adventures, travels to far away stadiums and nights in Rodanthe, and laughter and love. More importantly, she found someone who would take care of her the way she had taken care of others.

Debra also had hidden depths that only those closest to her may have known. She was one of the most intelligent women you could ever meet. She could talk for hours about Penn State football, her alma mater. She embraced the silly. She could belt out the perfect song for any occasion. And with her there was always the promise of impromptu dance parties to Ricky Martin or Dirty Dancing around the kitchen island. She was deeply spiritual, and always believed the best would work itself out. She loved fireballs, shorelines- whether beaches or lakes- Christmas foxes, and stories with happy endings.

Debra is survived by her husband, Leon Prazenica; her children, Jennifer Brown, Kristin Klein, Cassie Seamon, and William Seamon; her granddaughter, Elinor Klein; and her sister, Erin Kaven.

She joins her parents, Charlotte and William Brown, and her brothers, Kevin Brown and Bill Brown, wherever in the universe the very best of us go.

A celebration of Debra's life will be held on Wednesday, August 5, from 6:00-8:00PM at The Stauffer Funeral Home in Frederick, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to American Cancer Society.

Home was never just a place-it was Debra. In every hug, every holiday, every whispered late-night conversation, every phone call, and every "I love you more," she gave her family a place to belong. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and forever remembered as the place her family called home.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.