Our loving wife, mother, and friend, Trudy Brown DeStefano, shed her earthly bonds to be with her Lord and Healer on April 7, 2009, passing peacefully at home with her family by her side. Trudy was born August 10, 1939, in Columbia to Mr. Henry Grady Brown, Sr. and Mrs. Thelma Smoak Brown. She graduated from Dreher High School in 1957, attended Winthrop College, and graduated in 1961 from the University of South Carolina. She was formerly a second grade school teacher in Charleston prior to her marriage in 1963 to Jack DeStefano.

She is survived by her loving and gracious husband of 45 years, P. John "Jack" DeStefano of Charleston, her caring and compassionate daughter Elizabeth Rhett DeStefano of Charleston, her devoted son Peter John DeStefano and his wife Lynn Snyder DeStefano of Charleston, her grandchildren: Lyndsey Anne DeStefano and John William DeStefano of Charleston, and her sister Jeanne Brown Crawford of Chapin, SC, along with many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Trudy was predeceased by, and is now joyfully reunited with, her parents, her brother H. Grady Brown, Jr. of Columbia, and her sister Marilyn B. McMillan of Columbia.

Trudy's joy in life was her family, especially her beloved husband and grandchildren, her home, and her cottage on Johns Island. She had a passion and flair for decorating, always a new arrangement or trinket on the coffee table or a new piece of furniture that was moved from one room to another until it was just right. She especially loved her yard, clipping fresh flowers, watering her plants, conversing with neighbors, sitting on her porch watching the children play. She is loved and will be missed by many good friends and her wonderful and thoughtful neighbors.

On April 13, 2009, the family received friends from at their residence, 21 Formosa Dr., Charleston. On April 14, 2009, the Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Hospice of Charleston, Inc., 3870 Leeds Ave, Suite 101 North Charleston, SC 29405 or American Cancer Society 5900 Core Rd., Suite 504 Charleston, SC 29406.