Irene Brown

Irene Rizos Brown, 93, of Naples FL died Sunday, April 24, 2016. She was born in Burgesstown, PA to Greek immigrants Nicholas and Panagula (Christides) Rizos. Irene was a 1940 graduate of Massillon Washington High School and a member of St. George's Greek Orthodox Church, both of Massillon OH. She served many years with the Ladies Philoptochos Society and was a volunteer with the American Red Cross at the Massillon City Hospital. Irene worked many nights at her brother Gus Rizos' restaurant, Rizos Steak House in Massillon or bowling with her sister Bessie. She moved to Naples with her husband 37 years ago where she lived out the rest of her life. Irene, along with her husband, were original members of the Lakewood Golf and Country Club where she was an avid golfer and card player. The biggest joy of her life was spending time with her family and friends. She married the love of her life Robert L. Brown, a World War II B-29 bomber pilot in 1946. Lieutenant Colonel Brown, USAF (ret) preceded her in death in August 2006. She leaves behind one loving son, Robert G. Brown (Mary) of Leland MI, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Her grandchildren are: Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Rhodes (Sandra) of Alexandria VA; Keith Sandman (Caroline) of Ft. Mill SC; Megan Giroux (Dan) of Lancaster SC; Robert Brown (Ashley) of Terrace Park OH; Elizabeth Hardig (Benjamin) of Cincinnati OH; Ashleigh Bryant of Naples FL; and Charles Bryant III of New York NY. Her two daughters, Pamela Sandman Rhodes and Stephanie Brown Bryant as well as her sister Bessie Brown, and brothers Gus, Lewis, and George Rizos also preceded her in death. Friends and family will gather at St. George's Greek Orthodox Church in Massillon OH on Saturday, May 7 from 8:30am-9:30am with funeral services at 9:30 am, interment at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either St. George's Greek Orthodox Church or the World War II Historical Foundation located in New Orleans LA. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.paquelet.com Paquelet Funeral Home & Crematory 330-833-3222