Beatrice Louise Braun

BRAUN, BEATRICE LOUISE, MD, 91, died Thursday, January 17, 2013 at HPH Hospice in Brooksville. Dr. Braun, a native of Glen Mills, PA has been a resident of Spring Hill for the past 24 years coming from Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. Prior to her marriage in 1970, she served as a Maryknoll Catholic Sister in Korea for 17 years as a physician who cared for thousands of war refugees. Following her marriage, Dr. Braun practiced psychiatry in New York for many years, retiring with her husband Richard to Spring Hill in 1989. Dr. Braun served as a member of AARP’s National Board of Directors for eight years. She also served as a board member of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, a group created by Congress, to advise it on Medicare Policy. Upon moving to Spring Hill, she became active in Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE), a program she helped create, as a volunteer. In addition, Dr. Braun volunteered her time as a psychiatrist two days a week at the Health Department in Brooksville and the Crescent Clinic, working up to three weeks before her death. In 2009, Dr. Braun received Florida’s Andrus Award for Community Service. Dr. Braun is survived by two sister-in-laws, Marilyn Braun of Buffalo, NY and Barbara A. Simpler of Westchester, PA and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call Tuesday, January 22 from 2-4PM & 6-8PM at Pinecrest Funeral Chapel – Mariner Boulevard. A funeral mass will be conducted on Wednesday, January 23, 2013, 11AM at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Enrichment Centers, PO Box 10207, Brooksville, FL, 34603 and Hospice Foundation, 12242 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613.