Centre County’s Board of Commissioners on Tuesday remembered former CentrePeace Executive Director Cathleen Brown for her devotion to helping others in a career serving local nonprofit organizations.
Brown died on Feb. 11 at the age of 61 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“It’s a loss to our whole community,” Commissioner Steve Dershem said. “Cathy was an incredible woman who really put her heart and soul into whatever she did. I think those of us who knew her and witnessed her acts over a long period of time have utmost respect for her.”
Brown had most recently served as CentrePeace executive director from September 2019 through January 2023. The nonprofit furniture and home goods resale store on Benner Pike in Bellefonte gives incarcerated individuals an opportunity to work as “trainees” alongside volunteers and staff with the goal of restoring their lives and preparing for reentry to the community.
During her time leading the organization, Brown guided CentrePeace through the turbulent days of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensured it was able to maintain staff and volunteers.
She also instituted a Trainee Advancement Program that awards a trainee a three-month employment position upon release, allowing them to secure living space and earn a good wage while seeking additional employment opportunities for long-term stability, according to CentrePeace. The program is designed to provide structure for successful reentry and meet probation criteria.
“The mission became the heartbeat of Cathy’s career, and through it she was able to help many of the formerly incarcerated reintegrate into their communities,” Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Higgins said in a formal recognition presented to her children. “After the passing of their prior executive director [Thom Brewster], Cathy helped reinvigorate the organization. Her leadership dramatically increased the number of individuals served… working on alternative justice programs and providing vision for future projects.”
Prior to her time at CentrePeace, Brown served as director of development for Easterseals of Central Pennsylvania, Strawberry Fields Inc. and Centre Volunteers in Medicine. She previously worked in media and sales.
“She really devoted her life to service to our community,” Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Amber Concepcion said. “You can see the impact that she has made in our community has been just incredible, and most recently her work in CentrePeace has been really critical to our county’s mission of ensuring that when people are coming out of our correctional institute that they have some of the skills and the support they need to be able to be successful in their next steps. We’re honored to be able to recognize her.”
Dershem said he got to know Brown well during her tenure at CentrePeace, and the two bonded over their love of antiques.
“She was just an incredible person with a beautiful smile,” Dershem said. “She was a wonderful, strong, sensitive woman who we would all admire on so many different levels.”
Brown is survived by her husband, well-known local radio personality Jeff Brown, their four children, three grandchildren and another grand child yet to be born.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date, according to her obituary.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CentrePeace; Team Gleason, which assists individuals living with ALS; or CentreCare, where Brown received care for about a month before her passing.
