Obituary of Dolores Levi

Dee Levi (Dolores May Brown), 85, died Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at her home in St. Petersburg, Florida. Dee was born July 13, 1936 in Montrose, Michigan to Vincent and Marie Beaudoin Brown, the third of six daughters. When all six were in a room together, the sound reverberated off the walls and the rafters would shake with the sound of their laughter.

Fiercely independent, Dee knew that a future as a nun was not for her even though it was what her parents expected. Instead, Dee left home the day after her high school graduation to live her life on her own terms. She worked her way through college first attending Flint Junior College where she graduated in 1954. Then she attended the all girls’ school, Siena Heights Roman Catholic College, where she obtained her degree in Education in 1958 and achieved her dream of becoming a teacher. She taught for 37 years in the Lansing School District. She found it comical that in her first teaching position she was Miss Brown in the brown schoolhouse. She taught first, second, and third grade, then became a reading specialist after receiving her Master’s of Education from Michigan State University in 1967.

Vivacious, gregarious, and charismatic, Dee could always be found at the center of a crowd sharing stories and laughter. Her love of life was infectious. Whether she was on the golf course, at a neighborhood party, or enjoying time with her grandkids, she sparkled with enthusiasm and joy. She loved entertaining, creating a theme and pulling together decorations, food, and activities all with the goal of making those around her happy. She enjoyed planning family vacations and for one Christmas vacation she even packed a suitcase full of food including the Christmas ham. She looked forward to visits from her grandchildren and spending the day with them at the Walnut Hills Country Club pool. Her bridge skills were admired by all. She was generous with her expertise and willing to explain the finer points of the game. Family gatherings invariably ended up around the table playing cards or dominos. Although some suspected she made her own rules, there was always plenty of laughter and reminiscing.

Dee and D. William (Bill) Brown were married for 20 years and had three children before divorcing in 1977. She passed on her sense of independence and determination to their children, LuAnn, Don, and Laura. She loved her children dearly and was often heard sharing stories of their accomplishments. They all shared her sense of humor. However, one activity that the kids did not enjoy as much as Dee was blueberry picking. That may have been due to the fact that one day she unknowingly had them pick over 22 pounds of blueberries. Something they never let her forget. In 1993, she married Lowell Levi. They shared a lifelong love of Michigan State football and basketball, bicycling, travel, and volunteering at the Sarasota Theater. Known for her heart of gold and willingness to care for those around her, she lovingly cared for Lowell through his long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease until his death in 2012. Over the past nine years, she shared her life with Jack McEwan. They shared a love of bridge and travel.

Dee’s memory will be cherished and kept alive by her partner, Jack McEwan; children LuAnn (Dennis) McEwan, Donald (Kimberly) Brown, and Laura (Chris) Prebay, grandchildren Eric McEwan, Sydney Brown, Max Brown, Sophia Brown, Emily Prebay and Bradley Prebay; great-grandson, Westin Foster; sisters Rita (Hameed) Noon, Mary Alice (Bill) Firman and Maria Michaelene “Micki” (Ilhan) Abdi.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Marie Brown; her sisters Yvonne McKeaver Cudd and Sr. Joan Brown; her husband, Lowell Levi; and her grandson, Dennis McEwan, Jr.

A celebration of life and dinner will be held Thursday, June 9, 2022 from 3:00-6:00 pm at Seminole Hills Country Club, 6100 Augusta Blvd, Seminole, FL 33777.