Monique Brown, a legislative correspondent to Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), died Jan. 20 as a result of kidney dysfunction and a blood disorder.

Brown, 23, joined the Keystone State lawmaker’s office as a staff assistant in late 2001.

She came to Capitol Hill after graduating from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s in journalism.

An active member of the Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Brown (formerly Bradley) had married Christopher Brown in a Dec. 20 ceremony.

Gabe Neville, communications director for Pitts, said the wedding had been postponed due to Brown’s illness.

“We think it’s sort of a miracle [considering Brown’s illness] that they got married,” Neville said.

Another co-worker, Legislative Assistant Cindy Diggs, described Brown as “a strong Christian woman who really desired to know Christ and to be with him. … We’re very joyful and we know that she is with the Lord now.”

Brown is also survived by her parents and and a sister.

A funeral service was scheduled for Saturday at the Capitol Hill Baptist Church, followed by a ceremony at the Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Md. In lieu of flowers, Brown’s family has asked that donations be made to the Capitol Hill Baptist Church Missions Program, 525 A St. NE, Washington, DC 20002.

— Jennifer Yachnin