Marjorie Etta (Carlson) Brown Obituary (1934 - 2021)

Marjorie Etta Carlson Brown, 87, devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on June 22, 2021, at Intermountain Medical Center after a long illness. Marjorie was born on May 2, 1934, in Warren, Pennsylvania to the late John Edward and Luella Angeline Hartness Carlson. After graduating from Warren High School, Marjorie completed her nursing training in 1955 at Augustana Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, Illinois. She began her 50-plus-year nursing career working at hospitals in Chicago and Warren before moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1960 where she joined the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Seven years later she began her long-tenured career at Lovelace Medical Center as a nurse in the surgical ward. When she was appointed Orthopedic Nurse Clinician in 1974, Marjorie discovered her talent for teaching while developing and delivering patient, staff, and community educational programs. Years later, as the Manager of Nursing Staff Development at Lovelace and as a regional educator for Manor Healthcare Corp., Marjorie was often described as a charming, innovative, and generous educator whose effectiveness stemmed from her ability to relate and communicate with patients and fellow healthcare workers. Understanding the importance of education, Marjorie stood as a role model to her family by continuing her own education while working full-time and raising a family. She proudly earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing in 1982 and her Master’s degree in Health Services Administration in 1987, both from the College of St. Francis. Marjorie will be remembered for her quick and delightful wit, her generous and caring nature, and her devotion to her family and friends. In her free time, Marjorie enjoyed sewing, knitting, embroidering, and quilting. Many of her crafts received prizes at the New Mexico State Fair, including a set of personalized Christmas stockings that she knit one year for her entire family. She also enjoyed beach vacations with good friends, daily walks with her dogs, and tending to the roses in her garden. After retirement, Marjorie reluctantly moved from her beloved New Mexico to Park City, Utah to be closer to her daughter. In retirement she stayed active by volunteering at the Park City Hospital, attending the Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, and visiting with friends and practicing Tai Chi at the South Jordan Senior Center. Marjorie also enjoyed knitting small, colorful caps for babies and donating them to local hospitals, much to the delight of the nursery staff. Her favorite activity in the last several years of her life was beating her unsuspecting family members and friends in marathon games of Yahtzee. She is survived by her two children, Stephen Craig Brown of Albuquerque, NM and Rebecca Ann Brown of Salt Lake City, UT. She is also survived by her two grandchildren, Travis John Brown of Tampa Bay, FL and Victoria Hope Brown of Jacksonville, FL. In addition to her parents, Marjorie was preceded in death by her brother, Dwight Edward Carlson, and many dear friends. Many thanks are given to the nurses and care team of Intermountain Medical Center and Inspiration Hospice, especially Ben, Mandi, and Jennifer. A private memorial was held by the immediate family on June 23, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary or Primary Children's Hospital.