High-tech manager, human resources professional, devoted mother and wife
Lisa Brown. (Courtesy photo)
E. Lisa (Caballero) Brown passed peacefully on April 14, 2016, at age 66, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Harvard after a courageous battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her parents, Dr. Lucas Caballero and Doña Mercedes Mejia of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Paul S. Brown; her son, Eric René Brown, and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Brown, of Harvard; and her daughter, Ashley Elizabeth Brown, of Newtonville. She leaves her sister Gladys Arevalo and brother-in-law Henry Arevalo; her brother, Sergio Caballero; her sisters Norma Jimenez of Miami, Florida, Cristina Basha and husband of Moscow, Russia, and Silvia Caballero, Estela Caballero, and their husbands, all of Honduras; her stepmother, Bella Caballero, of Honduras; and her brother-in-law, Albert E. Brown, and sister-in-law, Cathy Brown, of Harvey’s Lake, Pennsylvania. Lisa also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, and an extended family in the United States and throughout the world.
Lisa was born in Santa Barbara, Honduras, and came to the United States to study at Vermont College in Montpelier. She married Paul S. Brown in 1971 and graduated from Merrimack College with a major in sociology and a minor in psychology in 1973, completed half of the requirements for an MBA at Babson College, and was a graduate of the executive development program at Boston University. She was a lifelong learner and often participated in workshops or executive programs to further her personal and business skills.
Lisa ’s career in technology was extensive and diverse. She retired in 2011 from Hewlett Packard (HP) after holding the position of senior global director of human resources. Lisa started her career in manufacturing as an employee relations representative at Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). She served as the organization development manager and later as plant HR manager in Marlborough, one of DEC’s largest manufacturing plants. Lisa was a pioneer of the diversity work at DEC, and as a senior business partner she worked in engineering, marketing, channel sales, and professional services. Lisa also managed senior HR professionals in her role of business partner and HR operations director. Her combined tenure at DEC, Compaq, and HP spanned 34 years.
During her career, Lisa Brown developed and implemented strategic HR plans globally, directly contributed to integration strategies of work and people during the DEC, Compaq, and HP acquisitions; consolidated work and resources of HR operations organization; and was asked to manage resources for HP. She also directly contributed to the business strategies of the global delivery organization and managed HR resources in support of a population of 65,000 globally. Lisa coached, mentored, and developed senior executives, middle managers, and her direct staff. She also implemented talent management processes globally for the division under her responsibility. In her various roles, Lisa traveled widely throughout Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. However, she always made her trips as short as possible so as to not spend any more time away from her children and husband than necessary.
Lisa Brown was a loving mother, a devoted wife, and an inspiration to many other family members, work colleagues, and friends. She was always there for her children, be it soccer games, cross-country and field hockey matches, or track and field events in which her children participated. Lisa, Paul, Eric, and Ashley traveled extensively throughout Europe, North America, and Central America. Trips to Paris, Brussels, Rome, Florence, London, Berlin, Athens, Madrid, Barcelona, and other European cities were frequent family sojourns. Doing things together as a family was always the top priority for Lisa. Sharing experiences together and family “group hugs” were a family tradition. Lisa had a passion for music, dancing, and cooking what were always delicious meals. Lisa had a very warm, caring heart toward others. Her enthusiasm for making others happy was unrivaled as she touched countless people throughout her life. She always treated others with respect, dignity, and love, be they corporate executives or individuals of humble origin.
Many family members, friends, and work colleagues viewed her as a role model of what hard work, determination, compassion, intelligence, love, and social skills can achieve when one applies them with honesty, diligence, and integrity.
Lisa was also active in many volunteer activities such as the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Quest Adventures, SOAR 55, Asperger’s Association of New England, and 3Plus International. Lisa was a member of the Harvard Schools Trust; the Human Resources Leadership Forum, where she held a position on the board of directors; and the Merrimack Valley Girl Scouts, where she was also a board member.
Lisa will be dearly missed by her husband, children, family members, work colleagues, and many friends. She was loved and admired by all who ever met her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org). A viewing between the hours of 5 and 8 p.m. will be held on Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Mass. Ave. (Route 111), Acton. A memorial will be held at the Acton Funeral Home on Saturday, April 23, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., with interment immediately thereafter at Bellevue Cemetery, Still River Road, Harvard. A memorial page can be found at www.actonfuneralhome.com.
