Marie Braun

Marie Braun (1953-2025), a tireless advocate for the disabled in Kentucky has passed away. Born Mary Louise Miller in Sebastian Branch, Breathitt County, she resided in Covington for most of her life. Her Cerebral Palsy did little to slow her down.

She married Prentice Shelby Jones in 1975. Both witnessed to the need for disabled people to be loved and touched and cared for. Shelby sadly passed later that year.

She married William (Bill) Braun in 1980, and together they offered friendship, support, and education to many in Northern Ky. She obtained her GED and Associate of Arts at Gateway Community College and traveled to workshops and training in self-advocacy throughout the country. After Bill’s death in 1994 she continued to press for the disabled, traveling widely in her motorized wheelchair.

Marie Braun’s spirit and adventures are described in Steve Flairty’s Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes (Wind Publications, 2008).

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Braun Aust (Ralph), her brother Leonard (Pat), her longtime friend of nearly 60 years, Vickie Cimprich (John), and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at her beloved Mother of God Church, 119 W. 6th St., Covington, KY, on June 14, 2025 with visitation from 10:30am to 11:45am. A funeral Mass at 12:05pm with a luncheon reception immediately following in the Church undercroft.

For those that wish to honor Marie with a memorial contribution, donation can be made to: The Point Arc of Northern Kentucky, 104 W. Pike St., Covington, KY 41011.