Lesli Ann (DeMichele) Brown

Lesli Ann Brown, age 51, of Freeport, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on September 28, 2026, surrounded by those who loved her.

Lesli was born on October 16, 1974, in Freeport, Illinois, the daughter of Frank "Butch" DeMichele and Elizabeth "Betty" Hasken-DeMichele.

She graduated from Freeport High School with the Class of 1993 and later attended Rockford Business College, where she earned an Associate of Applied Science degree as a Medical Assistant in 2004.

Lesli dedicated much of her life to caring for and helping others. Early in her career, she worked as a CNA at Parkview Nursing Home. She went on to spend 28 years with FHN, serving in a variety of roles including scheduling, medical assisting, and, for much of her career, ER registration. Lesli also had an entrepreneurial spirit and opened Uniforms and More in July 2011, which she owned and operated for five years.

On August 30, 1997, Lesli married Larry Brown at First Church of the Nazarene in Freeport. They recently celebrated 29 years of marriage, a life together filled with family, love, laughter, and many blessings.

Those who knew Lesli knew that giving to others was simply part of who she was. Even throughout her own difficult medical journey, she worried about the people caring for her and wanted each of them to know how much they were appreciated. She made sure her caregivers felt special, often finding a gift or some small way to thank them.

Lesli also absolutely loved couponing. Few things made her happier than finding an unbelievable deal—except perhaps being able to share that deal with someone else. Her generosity, thoughtfulness, humor, and ability to find joy in doing for others will be remembered by everyone who knew her.

Lesli is survived by her loving husband, Larry Brown; her children, Casey (Kyle) Brown-Rafferty, Miranda, Devin, and Landon; and her beloved grandson, Connor, son of Casey and Kyle.

She is also survived by her brothers, Jeremy (Sarah) DeMichele and Dominic DeMichele; her nieces and nephews, Graysen (Olivia) DeMichele and Addison DeMichele, children of Jeremy and Sarah; Dominic (Eve) DeMichele, Bailey (Xavier) Lopez, Payton (Avery) Stein, and Dawson (Jayden) DeMichele, children of her late brother Jason; Lexi Restivo; and Traci (Anthony) Holloway and Amy (Brian) Filer, children of her late sister-in-law Joyce Rabey.

She also leaves behind many great-nieces and great-nephews, whom she loved and cherished dearly and who brought so much joy and light to her life, especially during her final days.

Lesli was blessed with many wonderful friends throughout her life who loved and supported her, including her especially close friends Doreen, Jacinta, and Ginny. Their friendship and the love of so many others meant more to Lesli than words could express.

Lesli was preceded in death by her parents, Frank "Butch" DeMichele and Elizabeth "Betty" Hasken-DeMichele; her brother, Jason DeMichele; her grandparents, Margaret and Lawrence Hasken and Grace and Dominic DeMichele; her mother- and father-in-law, Ruby and DeLon Brown; her sister-in-law, Joyce Rabey; as well as beloved aunts, uncles, other relatives, and friends who went before her.

Lesli and her family are especially grateful to her care team at Ferguson Cancer Center and to the many physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals at UW Health University Hospital in Madison, where she spent the final month of her life. Their care, compassion, and kindness meant more than words can express.

After a long and courageous medical journey, Lesli was blessed to return home for her final days. She spent that precious time surrounded by family and friends, sharing stories, laughter, memories, visits, and some of her favorite things. She passed peacefully in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by love.

Visitation will be held Monday, October 5, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, 125 E. Empire Street, Freeport, Illinois. An additional visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday, October 6, from 10:00-11:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Rachel Smith officiating. A luncheon will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Lesli's honor. A portion of the memorials received will be donated to the Ferguson Cancer Center and the Lustgarten Foundation to support pancreatic cancer research, with the hope of helping other families facing this disease.

Lesli will be remembered for the love she gave so freely, the strength she showed through every challenge, and the countless ways she made others feel cared for and special. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.