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Family, colleagues, friends and hundreds of other admirers of a West Islip registered nurse who died tragically on Saturday are doing whatever they can to help the woman’s young daughter.
More than 800 donations totaling nearly $60,000 have poured in over the last three days to a GoFundMe page established for Dawn Marie Brown’s daughter Kacie Lynn. Brown, 52, was a highly regarded nurse educator at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip.
“From the minute I stepped foot in [Good Samaritan Hospital] to the last she was right there with support and encouragement,” a donor commented on the GoFundMe page established by Good Samaritan. “I can only hope she knows how much of an impact she had on all of us and pray she has found peace. DMB (Dawn Marie Brown) you will be forever missed.”
Another donor noted that Brown, who worked for 22 years at Good Samaritan and lived in Bay Shore, was her first nurse educator and mentor, adding that Brown “was one of those bad ass nurses and molded me to the nurse I am today.”
Dozens of other donors shared their sadness of losing a friend, mentor, teacher, colleague — and angel. By every account, Brown was someone who had been on a mission to make the world a better place for everyone in her path.
“Dawn Marie was a light in a world full of darkness,” a donor said.
You can click here to make a donation on the GoFundMe page for Brown’s daughter.
A spokesperson with Catholic Health’s Good Samaritan said the hospital is “offering grief and pastoral counseling and other support” to hospital employees.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our prayers and deepest sympathies are with our colleague’s family, friends, and co-workers,” the spokesperson said.
Money raised through the GoFundMe page will go toward alleviating the financial struggles that the Brown family will be forced to bear. In particular, the fund will support the college education of Kacie Lynn, who was recently accepted into nursing school.
Funeral arrangements
Visitation services for Brown are scheduled for Saturday, March 19, and Sunday, March 20, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on both days, at Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home, located at 200 E. Main St. in East Islip.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated for Brown on Monday, March 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 9 N. Clinton Ave. in Bay Shore, New York.
Below is the wording from the organizer of the GoFundMe page:
“During this challenging time, we are asking for donations to help alleviate some of the financial struggles the Brown family will have to bear as they honor the life of Dawn Marie Brown, and support the nursing education of Kacie Lynn. Dawn Marie Brown was an amazing person, a ‘nurse’s’ nurse and someone who, for us all, would stop in the hallway to ask ‘How are you doing?’ The impact of her loss will be felt throughout Good Samaritan Hospital. Dawn Marie worked at Good Samaritan, and other Catholic Health facilities, for 22 years, with most of her career spent in nursing education. Her bright smile and caring attitude will be greatly missed. Dawn Marie’s daughter, Kacie Lynn, has recently been accepted to nursing school to follow in her mother’s footsteps.
Teresa Gutierrez, director of human resources at Good Samaritan Hospital
Kinds words for nurse Dawn Marie
The following thoughts and words were shared by donors commenting on the GoFundMe page for the Browns.
“Nurses and all health care workers need to look out for each other. Kacie, wishing you strength now and compassion always. We need nurses with those qualities.”
“My heart breaks for the loss of your beautiful mom. From the minute I stepped foot in GSH to the last she was right there with support and encouragement. I can only hope she knows how much of an impact she had on all of us and pray she has found peace. DMB you will be forever missed”
“I didn’t know Dawn Marie, but I am so saddened that someone described as so caring for others needed someone to reach out in a dark moment. My deepest sympathies to her daughter and the rest of the family. I hope all of these contributions go a long way to help defray any costs, and to help her daughter with tuition costs for nursing.”
“Thank you for teaching and helping so many of us.”
“You were such a good hearted person that was always willing to help anyone at a drop of a dime . It definitely will not be the same not seeing you ever again..My heart is broken hearing this tragic news You are now a guardian angel”
“Your mom was loved by all and touched so many. You have an army of nurses rooting for you Kacie, who will be there if you ever need anything along your journey. ❤️”
