Obituary of Martha Brown

Martha Jane Brown, 79, of Niles passed away at Lakeland Hospital February 14, 2008. Martha was born to the late James and Jessie (Powell) Stickney, on May 12, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio. She was one of seven children in the Stickney household. Martha received her nursing degree from Southwestern Michigan University in 1971 as the first graduating class of the RN program and worked as a registered nurse for Pawating Hospital for over 16 years, in O.B., before retiring. Through the years Martha's love for people has been apparent not only with her service and support to the Michigan Special Olympics but also her caring nature at the Hospital. She kept meticulous notes on every birth that she attended. Over her tenure at the hospital she delivered 1688 children, including some of her own grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Doris Wood, Lemoine Spive, Harry Stickney and Ansel Stickney. Martha is survived by her three sons; Robert (Beverly) Brown of Hartland, MI, David Brown of Niles, MI and James (Judith) Brown Berrien Springs, MI, her five daughters Judith (Robert) Moses of Niles, Elizabeth "Betty" (David) Roach of Tennessee, Kathie Jo (Ernie) Banicki of Niles, Lu Ellen Brown of Niles and Rosalee (Carlo) Velez of Grand Haven, MI, 20 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, two sisters Pauline Preston of Quincy, MI and Cecile (Fred) Shirey of Bronson, MI.