BROWN, Dani

Dani Brown
1959 – 2025
Dani LeeAnn Brown, beloved wife of Murray Brown, passed away unexpectedly near Scandia on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at the age of 66 years.
Dani is survived by her husband Murray; children Rory (Jenna) Brown, Rikki Lee (Daniel) Pillibeit, Michael (Damara) Brown and four grandsons, Ben, Luke, Holden and Jesse. She is also survived by her mother Norma Zobell, brother Monte (Laurie) Zobell, sisters Kelly (Orran) McMullen and Jody (James) Evanson and sister-in-law Donna Brown (Dave). She will be missed by numerous other extended family and friends.
She was predeceased by her father Burt William Zobell and by her in-laws, Donald and Verna Brown.
Dani was born to Burt and Norma (née Cook) Zobell in Magrath on December 9, 1959.  She was raised in Magrath and Vauxhall, graduating from Vauxhall High School. She then went on to attend Lethbridge College where she received a certificate in rehabilitation. On November 8th, 1980, forty five years ago, Dani married Murray Donald Brown. The pair lived and raised their family on the Brown family farm in Vauxhall.
Before Dani became Gramma Dani, she was simply known as Mom. Her son Rory made her a mother, her daughter Rikki Lee made her a girl mom and Michael was her baby and always introduced as such. She was fiercely proud of her children and never missed an opportunity to share their stories. Dani showed up for every failure with a hug and encouragement and every success with a smile, applause and her camera close at hand. The countless photo albums she spent hundreds of hours creating are filled with proof that she was always there, even if she was often behind the lens, quietly making memories special.
Dani was the heart of her family, devoted, selfless and endlessly loving. Family was her greatest joy, especially her four grandchildren, Ben, Luke, Holden and Jesse. They were her world. She attended every hockey game, piano recital, dance recital and event, no matter how big or small. She was always babysitting, folding laundry, lending a hand and making life easier for those she loved. Her grandchildren knew without question how deeply Grandma Dani loved them.
A loving and supportive mother at home, Dani extended that same care far beyond her own family. She had a remarkable gift for knowing when someone needed a little extra effort, patience, or love. She was a second mom to many, from her children’s teammates to the kids Murray coached over the years. Known as Mrs. Brown in the school and community, she touched countless lives, often forming special bonds with students who needed just a little more. Even after her older children moved out, she found ways to keep a full house by becoming a billet mom for the Vauxhall Academy of Baseball.
Dani found joy in the simple things and taught others to do the same: family close by, good food in the oven, a treat in the cupboard, laughter around the table and an ice cold beer or a glass of red wine shared in good company. She appreciated sunsets and sunrises, blue skies and starry nights, comfortable jeans, a favorite t-shirt and a good jacket.
She was incredibly talented and generous with her gifts. Dani had a green thumb like no other. The farm was always immaculately kept, with rows of potatoes, carrots, pumpkins and tomatoes grown to share with friends and family. Her flower gardens overflowed with zinnias, petunias, pansies, cosmos and dahlias in every color. No one ever left her home hungry. Her cooking and baking were legendary, from home-cooked meals and fresh bread to Rice Krispie and puffed wheat squares, homemade cookies and her famous chocolates and caramels, carefully made and packaged to give away to neighbours, friends and family.
Dani also shared her creativity with her grandchildren, passing on her love of art, tradition and togetherness. Christmas was magical in her home, planned months in advance and filled with warmth, generosity, and love.
“Thank you, Mom, for giving so freely of your time and energy, for allowing your family and community to feel your love, and for the care you poured into everyone around you. Thank you for being our rock, our person and our example of what it means to give wholeheartedly. However you were known, Mom, Dani, Gramma Dani, Mrs. Brown, you were deeply loved, and you will be missed more than words can say.”
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, December 19, 2025 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The burial service will be held prior to the funeral service at the Vauxhall Cemetery, corner of Township Road 131A and Highway 36, Vauxhall on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 10:00 A.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Vauxhall Community Hall, 417 – 4 Street North, Vauxhall on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.  Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at www.southlandfuneral.com.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Dani’s name may be made directly to the Vauxhall Baseball Academy Society, Box 618, Vauxhall, Alberta T0K 2K0.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.