To Celebrate a Life of Love: Dina Brown
October 27, 1969-October 13, 2018
On Saturday, October 13, 2018, Dina Marie Brown of San Antonio, Texas, loving wife, mother of five and grandmother, ended her journey at the age of 48. She wrote “Being a tool in the hands of God is my greatest desire.” And she was, touching so many lives with her faith, her love and beauty.
An amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, Dina was a beautiful light that shined on everyone she knew.
Dina, the third of four sisters, was born on October 27, 1969, in San Antonio, Texas, to Ernesto and Sylvia De Los Santos. From an early age, her spirit, huge smile and magnetism drew people to her, and she excelled as a leader in school both academically and socially. While attending John Marshall High School, she met the love of her life, Paul Edward Brown, Jr.
The two of them were wed on February 9, 1991, and were bound together by love and faith. She wrote “Paul was her motivator, her protector and her true love.” Together they were tools for God’s hands and were blessed with an amazing family of five; Hannah, Hayden, Hilton, Huntington, and Houston. Just 10 months ago she was blessed with her grandson, Guillermo Vazquez, son of Hannah and her husband Angel Vazquez who brought her such joy and happiness.
For Dina, motherhood came naturally and every day she displayed selflessness and love and used her special Momma flair by being there for her children in everything they did, nurturing and encouraging them and sharing her faith with each of them.
As a daughter, Dina was there for her mother, Sylvia, who also battled cancer, going to every appointment with her and being there for her father, Ernesto, every step of the way. She enjoyed spending time with and was close to her wonderful mother and father-in-law, Hortense Brown and Paul Edward Brown, Sr.
Dina understood the true meaning of sisterhood. No one could ask for a better sister. No matter what, she was always there for her three sisters, Lisa Conner, Tina Negri and Gina Murphy, bringing laughter and cheer, dancing and fun. She was an awesome aunt to her sixteen nieces and nephews, Taylor Holbrook, Payton Pereira, Jack Conner, Dane Negri, Ford Negri and Kenna Murphy, Nick, Joshua and Andrew Garza, Jessica Cash, Hunter, Cassidy, Trevor, Quinton, Justin and Jared Accord. She loved and encouraged them like one of her own children. She was also a great sister-in-law to her brother-in-laws Brian Conner, Steve Negri, Sean Murphy, Herb Garza and Jody Accord and sister-in-laws Brenda Garza and Melinda Accord.
A true friend in every sense of the word, Dina has hundreds of friends and it was easy to understand why. She shared her remarkable attitude and happiness with everyone she met by flashing that beautiful smile, telling funny stories and being there in times of need.
She was an entrepreneur, business owner, and manager running and owning her own businesses Texan Accent and The Mustard Seed and working as a District Manager for the Gap and managing various other retail businesses. An incredibly creative person Dina volunteered countless hours to her church and school communities, including ACTS where she directed Catholic women’s retreats. She even developed a logo for Wilderness Oaks Elementary School where her youngest son, Houston, attended.
If there is a team mom in heaven, it’s Dina. All of her children were very active in sports, and Dina made it her mission to support each of their teams with fanatical attendance and planned events that brought the entire team and their families together. Dina’s sons Hayden and Hilton both play baseball for the Northwestern State of Louisiana Demons. She was thrilled to know they would be going to college and playing together. Dina, the ultimate team mom, attended Houston’s October 8 baseball game—five days before she left this earth, and she still rocked that baseball hat.
Her scores of friends and family loved her for her grace, spirit, encouragement, inspiration, effervescence and crazy sense of humor. She saw the best in everyone. Throughout her illness, she wrote often about her faith and courage, comforting others through their pain in spite of hers. She will be missed but forever loved by all who knew her.
Just a short year ago Dina wrote these beautiful words when she was diagnosed with her illness. “I was praying, where I sit, light a candle and invoke the Holy Spirit, I was told that I was being prepared for a battle, and that I was going to have to fight, keep my faith and finish.” “One thing I do know is that you don’t go into a battle alone and that is where you all come in to play. I have been overwhelmed by the incredible texts and messages extending wishes of prayers and help in any way. Thank you all for your love and your kind words that keep us uplifted and encouraged.”
Friends and family are invited to a visitation and Mass to celebrate
Dina’s life. Both will be held at St. Francis of Asissi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd., San Antonio, Texas.
Visitation is on Thursday, October 18 from 6-7pm. Rosary at 7 pm. Mass will be held on Friday, October 19, at 10 am, followed by a procession to Cordi Marian cemetery, located at 11624 Culebra Rd., San Antonio, Texas.