Patricia Ann Brown

Patricia "Pat" Brown; 83; Verona, passed away on December 15, 2025. Born March 13, 1942, in Pittsburgh, PA, she was the daughter of the late Ruth and John "Jack" Shields. Patricia was affectionately known as Pat, Mom and Grandma. Mrs. Brown loved her family. For Pat, family included her pets of which she had many over the years. Pat was the oldest of six children. She spent her childhood in Swissvale and then Monroeville with her siblings and parents. She grew up in the Catholic church. She was a member of Gateway High School's first graduating class. She worked at a soda shop in the Miracle Mile Shopping Center. She was later trained and worked as a typesetter for a local newspaper. She was introduced to her husband Larry by her sister, Carol. Pat and Larry were married in 1961, while Larry was in the USAF. The couple moved to Victorville, CA, where their first daughter, Lynn, was born in 1964. Showing her adventurous side, Pat and Larry enjoyed motorcycles and scooter trips together. Pat had her trike and later a scooter into the 90s. Larry and Pat completed their Air Force tour and then moved back home to Penn Hills where Pat lived for 55 years. Pat and Larry were foster parents to a lovely child, Kim. Then, their adopted daughter, Chrissy, was brought into their lives at a few weeks old in 1975. Pat was heavily involved and held positions on the board of Verona Junior Women's Club. She also had a passion for gardening and took a full-time job at Erzen's Greenhouse in the 1980s. She then resumed her career as a typesetter for a local magazine for a few years. Later, Pat used her home as a licensed childcare facility. She cared for many children over 20 years. Working from home allowed her to host week-long visits with her grandchildren, and help raise her grandson, Christopher. Pat enjoyed painting portraits and ceramics as hobbies. She and her family enjoyed camping in their trailer and spending weekends with friends and family. After Lynn married, Pat and Larry took Chrissy on motorcycle trips across the country. Pat also enjoyed traveling to New York City and Las Vegas with close friends. Pat loved to host parties and bring people together for a good time. Many warm Christmases, major life events and holidays were spent with her and in her home. Vacations to Ocean City, Maryland with her family were filled with laughter, fun and love. Pat's daughter, grandchildren and loved ones are grateful for those experiences with Pat and will forever hold those memories in their hearts. Pat adored her grandchildren and was extremely proud of each of them! She was especially thrilled with the birth of, and time spent with, each of her grandchildren and her great grandchild. In her later years, Pat lived with her grandson, Christopher. Pat recently described living with Christopher as a happy time that she "very much enjoyed". Pat was a strong woman, who fiercely loved her daughters, grandchildren, great granddaughter, and family. Pat will always be remembered for her caring, honest, generous, practical, passionate, tenacious and loving spirit. She is survived by her former husband, Larry Brown; daughter, Lynn Marie (Daniel) DiVittorio; grandchildren, Danielle DiVittorio, Gregory (Jessica) DiVittorio, Alexander DiVittorio, Elise DiVittorio (fiancé- Joseph Pagan) and Christopher Brown; one great-grandchild, Dottie DiVittorio; siblings, Linda (Frank Cigich) Shields-Cigich and Tim "Timmy" (Neva) Shields. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Christine Brown; and siblings, Carol Green-Serafini, John "Jack" Shields Jr., and Terrance "Terry" Shields. A special thank you to UMPC Presbyterian, Intensive Care Unit nurses, doctors, and staff. In lieu of flowers, please email your favorite loving, funny, warm memory of/with Patricia Brown to MemoriesofPatriciaBrown@gmail.com Per Pat's wishes, there will be no funeral services. Professional services entrusted to Thomas M. Smith Funeral Home & Crematory Ltd; 930 Center Avenue Blawnox, PA, 15238; www.thomasmsmithfuneralhome.com

Patricia Ann Brown

March 13, 1942 - December 15, 2025