Duane H. Brown

Duane Henderson Brown, 97, of Gilroy, CA, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2026 surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born on June 23, 1928 in Fullerton California to Pat and Faith (Milikan) Henderson. She has fond memories of growing up in Southern California with her two sisters Zoe Parker and Patricia Evens playing in nearby orchards. She married her loving husband, Moe Brown, on July 3, 1949, and together they built a life centered on family, community, and faith.

Duane was a woman of profound faith, and before her passing, she wrote her own reflection to share with those she loved:

“Up until the last couple of years I have lived a full and satisfying and joy filled life in the Presence of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I came to know Him and love Him when I was only a child at the First Baptist Church in Fullerton, California. He has been in my life ever since, through all the peaks and valleys of every day living. But, since the deaths of two of my children, David and Tina and my sister, Zoe, I have looked forward to leaving this world. It’s not like I don’t still have many good and wonderful people who I am thankful for, who uplift and care for me, my children, children-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, dear friends and dear loving neighbors. I am writing my own obituary because I am ready to begin my new and everlasting life without sorrow and heart aches with God, our Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I don’t know when that will be, but if you are reading this today, it has happened and I am grateful! My prayer, I want to pray for all who are still struggling in this life, is to come to know Jesus and what HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED FOR YOU BY HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION. It is something more important to you than anything else in this world!!”

Duane’s spiritual journey took her from the First Baptist Church of her youth to the Episcopal and Lutheran churches she later attended with Moe and her family to her final faith community Advent Lutheran Church in Morgan Hill.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Zoe Parker and Patricia Evans, her husband Elmo Charles Brown; her children, David Brown and Tina Latimore. She leaves behind a rich legacy of love and is survived by (Peter) Charles Brown, Paul and Louise Brown, Will and Cheryl Brown, Daughter-in- law Cindy Brown, son-in-law Fred Latimore, grandchildren Fred and Mike Latimore, Christina Brown and Marissa (Brown) Clark, Crystal Essman, Melissa Campbell, Linnea (Brown) Frye, Alden (Mic) Brown and seven great-grandchildren, as well as the many dear friends and neighbors who uplifted her.

A celebration of Duane's life and her entry into everlasting life will be held Sept 19, 2026 at 11:00 at Advent Lutheran, Morgan Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to South County Social Services or Advent Lutheran Church.