Gabrielle Nicole Brown

Ms. Gabrielle Nicole Brown, known endearingly by family members as “Nicki,” and by many friends as “Gabby,” formerly of Brooklyn, New York, passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at the family home in Piedmont, Missouri. She went peacefully, surrounded by her family, who loved her so very much. Though she was only 31 years of age, the experiences she had and people whose lives she touched could fill many lifetimes.

Gabrielle was born to parents Charles Brown of Piedmont, Missouri and Bette Livingston of Norwich, Connecticut on September 30, 1989 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her older brother and sister were excited to welcome her to the family.

In 1994, the Brown family moved to Peace Valley, Missouri and lived on a small family farm. From a young age, she had an affinity for animals of all kinds, and would often help rescue dogs, cats, rabbits and birds that were abandoned and in need of help. She was a reservoir of empathy and compassion that extended to everyone and were hallmarks of her character. She was generous to a fault, and would give her last penny to help someone in need. As a teenager, she once spent her entire savings to pay for a veterinarian visit for a rescue dog.

She graduated from West Plains High School in 2008, where she had been actively engaged and shown undeniable talent in drama, speech & debate, dance, and choir. She went on to attend Southeast Missouri State University and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre Acting and Directing. She then moved to New York City to pursue a career in theatre. She was involved in a series of Off-Broadway musicals, including her favorite, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She never passed up an opportunity to dance.

Gabrielle lived and loved life to the fullest. She lived fearlessly and traveled widely, living in Germany and France and visiting Thailand, El Salvador, Mexico, and Cuba on several occasions. She received an international business degree in France in 2011 and went on to build up a successful dog-walking business in Brooklyn.

She also traveled widely throughout the United States, including a recent hiking trip in the Rocky Mountains with close friends. A vegetarian and yoga enthusiast, she loved nature and the outdoors, and was always looking for unique places to practice yoga and commune with nature. She meditated daily and had a deeply spiritual nature.

Gabrielle is survived by her father Charles Brown and stepmother Susan Brown; her mother Bette Livingston, her brother and sister-in-law, Matthew and Heather Brown of San Diego, California and nephew Sebastian; her sister and brother-in-law, Krysta and Christian Ippach of Rheda-Wiedenbruck, Germany and nephew Tristan; her aunt and uncle, Suzanne and Michael Crawford of San Diego, California; her step-sister Caitlyn Wilfong and husband Gavin of Poplar Bluff and niece Amelia; her step-brother Michael Amelunke of Long Beach, Mississippi; and her beloved coonhound, Sol, whom she had rescued from a shelter in New York. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Amella Clark Brown.

To her many friends in Brooklyn, she was an “amazing, beautiful and vibrant” person and a source of joy, inspiration and love to those around her. They are having a remembrance party for her in Brooklyn to light a candle and meditate in her honor.

To her family, she was an unwavering source of light and warmth, a free, untamed spirit whose kindness knew no bounds, and she will be missed terribly. Her memory will be honored in a small, intimate family ceremony in Piedmont. As per her wishes, she will be cremated and her ashes will be kept in Missouri, California and Germany. The family is grateful for the many thoughtful condolences and warm wishes from the community. In echo of Gabrielle’s personal life philosophy, she would have said that even though her spirit has passed, “Still I rise.”

There are no services to announce at this time. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

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