Longtime Homer resident Bernarda Lamanilao Brown, 64, passed away peacefully at her home in Homer on Nov. 23, 2023.

A memorial mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Homer.

Bernarda was born May 25, 1959, in Tubigon, Philippines, the third of four siblings. While working in Japan, she met her future husband, Malcolm Brown. They were married at Camp Lejeune, NC in 1986. After completing his service in the Marine Corps, they moved to Homer, Malcolm’s hometown.

She completed her GED, then studied business in college. She was able to apply her interest in business while she owned Arctic Dragon Comics, Cards and Games from 1997-2002. Her longest and final occupation was as a caregiver, which well suited her compassionate and outgoing nature, showing remarkable kindness towards the handicapped and seriously ill. Her work was cut short when she became seriously ill herself.

Her positive attitude and the continuous help she received from her devoted husband helped her to continue with some of her favorite past times, especially cooking. Her love of gardening kept her home full of plants and her porch was lined with flower baskets in the summer.

She frequently traveled to the Philippines to spend time with her family whom she missed and stayed in constant touch with. She put great effort into taking care of her many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bernard is survived by her husband of 36 years, Malcolm Brown of Homer; children, Nathanial S. Brown of Homer and Anastasia V. Brown of Ogden, Kansas and her grandchildren, Charles Davis Brown, Emmy Wheeler and Calvin Wheeler.

Arrangements by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.