Helen "Nellie" L. Brown, 84, of Union Township and a former resident of Sewickley, Pa., passed away the afternoon of Jan. 13, 2013, at Edison Manor Nursing Center. Nellie, as she was affectionately called by her family and friends, was born Jan. 12, 1929, in New Castle, daughter of the late Joseph and Alice Woods Carrigan. She was a graduate of Mount Gallitzin Academy in Baden and Carlow University. Nellie was an elementary school teacher for 40 years for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Nellie was married to George H. Brown, who preceded her in death in 1982. She previously had been a member of St. James Parish in Sewickley and was a current member of Mary, Mother of Hope Parish. Nellie enjoyed many traveling destinations and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Nellie is survived by two sisters, Rita Carrigan and Leona Smith, both of New Castle. Also surviving are nine nieces, JoAnne, Barbie, Lorraine, Cathy, Alice, Loretta, Kathy, Patty and Joan; nine nephews, Gene, Jerry, Jay, Stephen, Patrick, Barry, Artie, Joseph and Grant; along with her special friends, Al Protheroe of Pittsburgh and Father Jack Connor of Cherry Hill, N.J. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Alice Jamison; five brothers, Tom, Ambrose, Charlie, Leo and Joe Carrigan; and two nephews, Michael and Tommy. The family would like to thank Jameson Hospice and Edison Manor for the care and comfort given to Nellie. Visitation will be private. A procession will leave the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, 111 W. Falls St. at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, for St. Mary Church, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon. The Rev. William P. Siple will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Mary, Mother of Hope Parish.