Diane F. Brown's Obituary
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Diane F. Brown (nee Fontenot), who peacefully entered eternal rest on August 2, 2025, at the age of 90. Born on November 11,1934, in Opelousas, Louisiana, Diane was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devoted servant of God who touched countless lives through her loving, kind, and deeply spiritual nature.
Diane shared a beautiful 71-year marriage with her beloved husband, Herbert G. "Herb" Brown, whom she married on October 18, 1953. Together, they raised five children and were blessed with 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herb, in 2024, just months after his 100th birthday.
Founding Ministry & Faith Leadership
Following the tragic loss of her 15-year-old son Graham in 1971, Diane experienced a profound healing and spiritual conversion while attending a Charismatic Prayer meeting. She became a woman of prayer and trustful surrender to God’s will. She played a significant role in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in her local community and beyond. She forged enduring relationships with many of the pioneers of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal including Patty Mansfield, Fr. Michael Scanlan, T.O.R., Mother Angelica and others who would become influential companions in her journey of faith and ministry.
In the late 1970’s, Diane felt called to establish a ministry of healing prayer in Clearwater, Florida where people could experience God’s healing love and encounter a living relationship with Jesus Christ. In 1980, in response to God’s call, Diane founded Our Lady of Divine Providence House of Prayer® in a little house by Old Tampa Bay. From that humble beginning, the House of Prayer has grown into a 14-acre campus featuring multiple retreat buildings and chapels including the Mother Couderc Retreat House and the Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence® School of Spiritual Direction. The Cenacle School of Spiritual Direction provides authentic Catholic teaching and certification for spiritual directors in association with Franciscan University of Steubenville, an association which has endured for 32+ years.
Soon after the House of Prayer opened, a small community began to form and in 1984, with the blessing of Bishop Thomas Larkin, Diane founded the community of the Marian Servants of Divine Providence®. She wrote the community’s Rule of Life and established its Governance Statutes and Rules of Order in consultation and approval from the Diocese of St. Petersburg. In acknowledgement of the fruits of the Marian Servants’ ministries over the years, in 2015, Bishop Robert Lynch decreed the Marian Servants a Public Association of the Faithful of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, giving the Association canonical status in the Catholic Church. There are now 16 Marian Servants Affiliate Communities throughout the United States with 450+ Marian Servants.
Since the early days of the House of Prayer, Diane felt a strong desire to serve priests and encourage vocations. In the early 2000’s, Diane and Dr. Ron Novotny, forged a longstanding association with the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF). IPF continues to hold their annual retreats for clergy at the House of Prayer retreat campus. In 2015, Diane foresaw the need for a retreat house designed specifically for priest retreats. Under her leadership and perseverance, the construction of the Mother Couderc Retreat House became a reality in 2018.
As First Lady of Rotary International during Herb Brown’s presidency they traveled to 158 countries around the world. Diane spoke all over the world on the subject of family & spiritual values. She had the honor of meeting with Nelson Mandela and other world leaders, and with Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II who commended her and encouraged her to continue her ministry. Diane had the privilege of presenting Pope John Paul II with the Marian Servants’ Rule of Life and an honorary Lifetime Membership Medal.
Recognitions & Awards
Her extraordinary ministry earned recognition through honorary degrees, including Doctor of Christian Letters from Franciscan University, and Catholic Education Foundation Award. Jointly with her husband, she received the Pontifical Award "Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice" in 2013. She was also bestowed the St. Jude the Apostle Award by the Diocese of St. Petersburg. In the early 1980’s, Diane served on the Board of the Association of Christian Therapists. She also served on the Board of Trustees of Franciscan University of Steubenville for many years.
Personal Philosophy & Influence
Diane was a contemplative in action. She had a deep love of Scripture, the Eucharist and the Rosary. She rose early daily to spend time in prayer. Yet Diane had time for her family and was tireless in serving God and his people. She was known to urge the Marian Servants: “Let’s go to heaven tired... there will be time to rest in heaven.”
She described herself as simply a "housewife from Louisiana", yet credited obedience and surrender to God's direction for the growth of her ministry. She emphasized prayer, trust in Divine Providence and the Virgin Mary as a spiritual model - practicing Marian consecration daily with her community members. Despite no formal academic credentials, her leadership and vision have impacted thousands.
Legacy
Diane was an affectionate, loving woman, full of zeal, Cajun charm and a bigger-than-life personality. She was a gifted leader, prayer minister and spiritual director and a sought-after inspirational speaker. Most of all, she was a faithful vessel of God’s love and that love overflowed into her family, her friends and those whose lives she touched through her ministry. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, mentor and an admirable faithful and loyal servant of God with a heartfelt devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Holy Spirit.
With God’s supernatural grace, Diane overcame tragedy and trials and became an instrument of God’s healing love for so many. Her family and friends, the Marian Servants and those she touched through her ministry owe her a debt of gratitude for her example of faithful Christian discipleship, her bold vision and her tireless charismatic leadership that made the ministry of the House of Prayer and the Marian Servants Community possible. What a blessing to share in her God-given life’s mission. May the Lord grant us the grace to persevere in preserving and continuing her legacy that now he entrusts to us. Diane will forever live in our hearts.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents J. Y. and Lucille Fontenot, son Jared Griffith, and son H. Graham Brown Jr; Survived by daughter Deborah (Brown) and husband Lee Arnold, son Jared and wife Mary Ellen (Auger) Brown; son Robert Gregory and wife Karina (Mora) Brown; granddaughter Katherine; daughter Donna McMullen (Brown); granddaughter Alisha (Arnold) and husband Steve Lannon great-grandchildren Kaelee, Joshua, Beau; granddaughter Nicole (Arnold) Hull and great-grandchildren Celeste and Evan; granddaughter Jordan (Brown) and husband Zach Olson great-grandchildren Everett and Haylor; grandson Jared and wife Peyton (Ruple) Brown great-grandson Grant; grandson Graham Brown; granddaughter Savannah (Brown) and husband Sean Sebastien great-granddaughter Sunday; granddaughter Rachel (McMullen) and husband Michael Weber great- granddaughter Maxine; granddaughter Brooke (McMullen); grandson Cody and wife Amanda (Moench) McMullen great-grandsons William and Jonathon.
A funeral mass will be held at Our lady of Divine Providence House of Prayer. The funeral will be limited to family members, friends, clergy and members of the Marian Servants®. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Our Lady of Divine Providence House of Prayer Foundation, Inc., 711 South Bayview Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33759.
What’s your fondest memory of Diane?
What’s a lesson you learned from Diane?
Share a story where Diane's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Diane you’ll never forget.
How did Diane make you smile?