Nina Proler Brown

After a courageous 38 year battle with Parkinson's disease, Nina Proler Brown passed away peacefully on March 28, 2022. Nina was a native Houstonian, born December 26, 1941 to Jeanette and Sam Proler. She and her husband, Joe, who passed away in 2012, had a storybook marriage of 50 years, filled with travel, adventures, and wonderful times shared with their family. Her family, the center of Nina's life, is left to cherish her memory. There was not a more devoted mother and grandmother. She adored her children: Gregg and Toby Brown and Stacy and Scott Doctor. She loved her four grandchildren, Ryan, Ariel, Ashley, and Emily "to the moon and back." All of her grandchildren have countless memories of the amazing times they spent with Grandma. In particular, they treasure "Camp Evergreen," an elaborate tradition Nina and Joe hosted at their home every summer featuring arts and crafts, Rummikub, and dessert before dinner. She had very close, loving relationships with her sister, Joyce Schechter, her brothers-in-law Arthur Schechter and Stan Brown, and her sister-in-law, Patricia Brown. Nina and Joe were instrumental in the formation of two non-profit organizations, The Alliance for Medical Research and Texans for Advancement of Medical Research (TAMR) that led the effort to protect and advance important, ethical medical research for all forms of stem cell research in Texas. TAMR's all-volunteer army of grassroots advocates put a human face on the fight to help win the battle holding so many lives hostage. From Houston to Austin, and to Washington D.C., they left no stone unturned to speak up over the noise that prevented progress. Nina and Joe became a team like no other. Sitting side-by-side at their desks, or walking arm-in-arm wherever they went, they moved mountains to transform the world of Parkinson's, stem cell research, and other critical causes of our times. HAPS, Houston Area Parkinson Society, was a principal beneficiary of Nina and Joe's passion. They were on the board of directors for many years, working tirelessly for the Parkinson's community. Their hard work was often recognized by organizations locally and across the country, with Nina receiving a number of prestigious awards. As a well-known resource for senators and congressmen Nina was honored at the Morris K. Udall Awards Dinner for outstanding advocacy for the Parkinson's movement; for "unending courage and tenacity advocating for stem-cell research," she was presented with Hadassah's Women of Courage Award in 2009; and in 2021, she became the first recipient of HAPS' President George H.W. Bush Award for her lifetime of good works. Nina presented an optimistic, heart-warming, inspiring video on Hope that she gave around the country. She was admired for her determination and lived by the tagline under her email signature: "Circumstances determine our lives, but we shape our lives by what we make of our circumstances." Nina lived a blessed and joyful life that she never took for granted. She enjoyed lunching with family and close friends, as well as playing bridge on "Wonderful Wednesdays." Nina was also creative and her artistic ability filled her family's walls. Nina's strength, spirit, attitude, and courage will remain a strong and guiding inspiration to her children, family and friends. The family expresses its deepest gratitude for Rosetta Shepherd. Her loving care of Nina over the last thirteen years was remarkable. The family also thanks all of Rosetta's amazing and compassionate team, including Roshanda Baltimore, Yoli Pace, Dominique Richardson, Tina Israel, Winona Powell, and Katherine Martinez. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 PM on Friday, April 1, 2022 at Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 N. Braeswood, Houston, TX 77096. The service will also be livestreamed at: https://www.beth-israel.org/news-events-upcoming-events/livestreaming/. Donations may be made in her memory to the Houston Area Parkinson Society, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Suite 296, Houston, Texas 77098 http://www.hapsonline.org.

Nina Proler Brown

December 26, 1941 - March 28, 2022