Kathleen Erin Brown

Kathleen Erin Brown

Iowa CIty

Kathleen “Kat” Erin Brown passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 27, 2022, at age 38. Kathleen was born on May 13, 1984, in Atlanta, Ga., to Lauri Rey, a registered nurse, and Randy Brown, a high school teacher. Some of Kathleen’s happiest childhood years unfolded on Brookland Park Drive in Iowa City. There, she and twins Shirley and Marion Stern became inseparable friends and remained close even when, as adults, they lived many states away from one another.

In the small but compelling routines Kathleen formed over her lifetime, she distinguished herself as warm-hearted and inclined toward making the world a brighter place. For years, she initiated daily phone calls to her father that were a source of comfort and joy to them both. A 2002 graduate of City High School, she, like her father and brother, loved to read. Among her favorite books were mysteries by Janet Evanovich. Social by nature, Kathleen looked forward to hosting weekly games of Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering.

Growing up, Kathleen participated in many sports teams and clubs. To swimming, cheerleading, judo and softball, she brought her athleticism and spark. Kathleen and her father often went on camping trips when she was young, and they participated in RAGBRAI together. Near the top of her list of favorite experiences was a tour of the national parks in the Southwest with her mother. Kathleen cherished opportunities throughout her life to be in touch with and spend time with her extended family. Whether catching up with her two young nieces over bagels at Bruegger’s or catching a train to Washington, D.C., or San Francisco to explore the local landmarks with her cousins, aunts and uncles, Kathleen endeared herself to many who will now miss her deeply. Her strength was supporting others by celebrating their successes both large and small. With a smile, she would boast that she had the largest collection of paintings by her uncle Ronnie Brown.

Kathleen loved coming from a line of accomplished and outspoken women whose careers included successful efforts to gain acceptance and rights for previously marginalized groups. She found her own way of continuing this family tradition by serving others as well, most recently as a support person for a student needing special assistance with transportation to school, and by serving as a warm and steady companion to Zaria, a special needs child, and Zaria’s mother Lacey, a close friend of Kathleen’s.

Never afraid to make a fashion statement, Kathleen found joy in expressing self worth through carefully chosen outfits.

To be with Kathleen was to be with someone who was quick to laugh and even quicker to find something kind to say about others, whether it was someone she had known for many years or someone she had just struck up an acquaintance with at the Farmer’s Market. An animal lover to the core, she was attentive to family dogs including Brandy and Roger and was devoted most recently to her beloved cat Petra.

In Joshua Evans, to whom she was known as “Kitty,” she found a special partner who cared for and devoted himself to her long before and then during the COVID pandemic. Together they made a home where friends found their way to many an informal get-together.

Throughout her life, Kathleen expressed her pride in having roots that connected her to Cuba, Alabama, and Iowa. She loved her grandmother’s Ropa Vieja as much as she loved her father’s slow-cooked beef stew.

Kathleen is survived by her father, Randy Brown (Corbin Sexton) of Iowa City; her life partner, Joshua Evans; siblings, Grant (Elizabeth Willmore) Brown of Iowa City and Audrey Sexton of Iowa City; uncle, Roberto Rey (Ann Miller) of Denver, Colo.; uncles Ronnie Brown (Lesley) and Roger Brown (Margaret) of Florence, Ala.; and aunt, Julie Paskevicius (Joe) of Spotsylvania, Va. She also is survived by her beloved friends and supporters, Jim and Mary Evans of Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her grandparents and her mother.

A gathering of remembrance for Kathleen will be held at Lensing Funeral Home in Iowa City on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 3 to 5 p.m., with a service at 4:30 p.m. A private family burial will be held at Oakland Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathleen’s honor may be made to the Iowa Humane Alliance (iowahumanealliance.org) or Paws & More (pawsandmorewashington.org).