Our wonderful mom, Edna Kingdon Brown, left us on December 31, 2012. As in life, she was unassuming about her way of leaving and, in her very quiet and thoughtful way, inspirational. In effect, while we were within a few feet of her, she slipped out of the room. There are no words to describe her loss other than we love her more than she could possibly imagine and we miss her more than can be fathomed.
In life, she was lighthearted yet philosophical, always reaching out to people and making sure that their needs were met first. She was warm and engaging and, simply put, fun to be with. She was the best mom ever to her four daughters, a tender loving partner and best friend to her husband, a valued friend to many, a gifted musician, and an inspiration to everyone who met her.
Born an identical twin with her sister Ethel, in Chicago, Illinois in October of 1917, she grew up in a loving home with a third sister, Jeanne. She graduated from Grinnell College, majoring in Philosophy and Music, where she met the love of her life, Morris Brown, shortly after arriving on campus as a freshman. They were married in 1940 and lived the first few years of their marriage in Delevan, Wisconsin where their first two daughters, Paula and Pam, were born; then relocated to Rochester, NY where they raised their family, adding two more daughters, Patti and Jennifer. For the past few years, she had lived near her daughters in Maine. She and Dad had sixty-nine years together, resulting in a life full of love and laughter.
Besides her first passion-her family-Mom was an accomplished violinist. She was a charter member of Fairport Musicale and was instrumental in bringing a full music program to the Fairport School System; she was also an active member of Morning Musicale. She performed regularly as a soloist and in string duet and quartet ensembles in the Rochester area. She was an active member of Young Audiences from the start and for many years steadfastly supported the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra during their fund drives.
Mom was always ready for an adventure; whether it was learning how to fly in her late 60’s or riding on the back of a snowmobile for the first time at the age of 91. Everywhere she went, people gravitated to her. She had a calm, reassuring, and incredibly caring nature about her that instantly endeared her to people.
She is survived by her daughters Patti Brown and partner Bo Marks, and Jennifer Johnson and husband Dick Johnson all of Maine; four grandchildren Nate Kenyon, Amanda Kenyon, Jesse Brown Collins, and Jamie Bishop; and nine great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her loving husband Morris E. Brown; daughter Paula Green; daughter and son-in-law Pamela and David Kenyon; and sisters Ethel and Jeanne.
A celebration of Mom’s life is being planned for this summer in Maine.
Contributions in her name may be made to the following groups which were part of the fabric of her life:
-Fairport Musicale, of which she was a charter member, for the Fairport Musicale Scholarship; payable to Fairport Musicale; send to Helga Strasser, 31 Hickory Lane, Rochester, NY 14625 helgas@rochester.rr.com
-Restoration Fund; payable to First Baptist Church of Fairport; send to First Baptist Church of Fairport, 92 South Main Street, Fairport, NY 14450
-Philanthropic Education Organizations (PEO), of which she was a lifelong member, for educational scholarships; payable to PEO NYS Chapter CB; send to Mary Bailey, Treasurer; 1708 Lakeville Road, Avon, NY 14414.
We want to thank all who took care of Mom and supported us over the past few years. Friends and family, and health professions staff, thank you so much for your tender loving care.