In Memoriam: DeLois Brown

by Clyde Weiss  |  April 25, 2012

DeLois Brown, 1953 – 2012

AFSCME mourns the tragic loss of DeLois Brown, 59, an activist from Minnesota Council 5’s Child Care Providers Together who was murdered in her home, along with both of her parents, on April 9.

Police were searching for an unidentified suspect who witnesses say fled on a BMX-style bicycle from Brown’s Brooklyn Park home, where she operated Visions and Butterflies Daycare. Also found slain were Brown’s mother, Clover Bolden, 81, and father, James Henry Bolden, 82.

A young child who was also found at the home was not harmed. Authorities gave no motive for the triple slaying, according to news reports.

Brown is survived by two daughters and six grandchildren. She was mourned by an overflow crowd. See the story and video here.

Brown “embodied AFSCME’s creed,” said Council 5 Exec. Dir. Eliot Seide. For us, public service isn’t just a job – it’s a calling to make a real difference in our communities. It’s a chance to truly help our neighbors, their families and strangers we’ve never even met.”

Brown’s “life’s mission was to raise strong children and empower young mothers,” added Seide, also an AFSCME International Vice President. “With three daughters and six grandkids, DeLois had plenty of wisdom to share. The Osseo Area Schools employed her as a child care instructor and that commitment to professional development got DeLois involved in Child Care Providers Together. She saw strength in joining together for mentorship and training – and she witnessed how unions helped her father and husband gain the respect and benefits they deserved.”

Memorials can be made to the “Brown-Bolden Memorial Fund,” and dropped off at any Bremer Bank location, or mailed to: Bremer Bank, 427 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55104.