Jean Skurka Brown, 86 of Hillsville, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at her home.  Mrs. Brown was born in Scranton, PA to the late John Skurka and Evelyn Stipulkoski Skurka.  In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Groncki.

Jean's family moved to Sayreville, NJ when she was a toddler, and she stayed in NJ until she and her husband, Donald, moved to Hillsville VA upon her retirement.

Jean attended Trenton State College and began work as an assistant to Andrew Heide at the Heide Candy Company in New Brunswick NJ.  She also worked for many years at the Boy Scouts of America. She wrote a column for the Spokesman Newspaper, for many years, then for 25 years and until her retirement, she worked as an Executive Curriculum Coordinator for the East Brunswick Board of Education, in East Brunswick, NJ.

Before moving to Virginia, Jean was a member of the Altar Society at Corpus Christi Church in South River, NJ, and a member of the Rosary Society at St. Stephen's Church in South River, NJ.  She also held an important role in the Parkinson's support group held at St Joseph's church in Woodlawn, VA.  She was an avid reader, loved word puzzles, she was a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan and don't bother calling her if the Eagles were playing!

Mrs. Brown is survived by her husband of 55 years, Mr. Donald Brown of Hillsville, VA, Her daughter Jennifer Meadows and Jennifer's sons Giovanni Brown and Gabriel Brown, and Her son Jason Brown and his son Hahkeem Brown.

She is also survived by her sisters Edwina Segledi and Veronica Brickman, sisters in law Catherine Brown, Janett Gilman and Mary Ann Riccitello (who was her partner in crime), several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by her best friend (even though she liked the Steelers) and fellow "Jersey Girl" Fran Jackson of Bethlehem, Georgia.

A funeral mass will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to Shriners Children's Attn: Shriners Children's Processing Center PO Box 947765 Atlanta, GA 30394 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.  Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.