Lillian "Lil" Brown was a paradox - with trademark purple hair.

Known for her big voice and flamboyant personality, she worked tirelessly on behalf of the poor, the needy, the abused and the suffering.

Yet, despite her tour-de-force presence, she preferred to work quietly behind the scenes, making sure that those in the community who were often overlooked would get noticed and receive assistance.

Brown, 56, died Sunday after an extended illness. A Corvallis resident for 30 years, Brown worked at the Department of Human Services and volunteered her time to a number of local organizations, including Community Outreach Inc., Altrusa and the Majestic Theatre.

"She was one hell of a gal," said Rich Donovan, the executive director of Community Outreach. "She was the voice of the people we serve. She said what she thought, and she didn't care what anybody thought of her - and I really like that about her." Yet people thought the world of her.

Dr. David Cutsforth worked with Brown at COI.

"I found almost everything about her unusual, quirky and charming," he said. "She was true to the core for social justice with individuals who were down and out on luck and circumstances."

Cutsforth said Brown pushed for action and money.

"We stretched for these individuals based on her advocacy."

Brown launched a project called The Career Closet through the Altrusa Club of Corvallis, said Molly Bloomfield. The program collected and distributed clothing to women who didn't have much money but needed to present a polished appearance at job interviews and the like.

Brown knew how to sell her ideas - and hot fried dough.

"She was one of the most gung-ho sellers of elephant ears," Bloomfield said, of one of Altrusa's traditional festival fundraisers.

"She had such a huge heart," said Rabbi Benjamin Barnett, of the Beit Am Jewish Community. "I have huge amounts of respect for her."

Having grown up in New York housing projects, Brown knew poverty first-hand, Barnett said. He recalled a poverty simulation she led at Beit Am. People were given different roles and play money and asked to live with the resources and constraints of someone living on the poverty line.

"It was a transformative evening," he said.

Barnett said that Brown's son Alec, 29, of Eugene, will feel her loss the most. "They have been so tight. They've been each other's best friends. My sense is that he was the most important thing to her."

A service for Brown is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Beit Am, 625 N.W. 36th Ave.