Sara Lee Browne passed away on March 7 in Melbourne, Fla. after a brief illness. Known to her friends and family as Dee, she was born on June 17, 1935 in Minneapolis, Minn., daughter of Cmdr. O.J. and Katherine Martyn.
Dee’s secondary education followed her father’s Naval postings from Minneapolis, California, Maine, Puerto Rico, Connecticut, and Rome. After graduating high school in Rome, Dee entered the University of New Hampshire in 1953 and graduated in 1957. That was followed by a year at Harvard Business School. Dee then became an administrative assistant to a department head at the Harvard Medical School.
In 1959 Dee met a fellow UNH Wildcat graduate, Norris Browne and they were married on August 13, 1960 in Boston, Mass.
Dee left Harvard to move to Weston, Conn. before settling down in Wilton, Conn., where Norris and Dee still own a home. Dee worked as an administrative assistant for a small group of psychologists/psychiatrists before retiring to become a full time mother and homemaker. Settling down in their home on Chicken Street (yes, Chicken Street), in 1963, the Browne family remains there after more than 50 years.
With three children in the school system from grades K through 12, Dee was busy volunteering in school and community activities: from president of the PTA, PEO, chair of high school scholarship committees, teaching catechism classes all the way down to being the Boy Scout mother who brought cider and donuts for the meetings, no job was too big or too small.
For the past 15 years the Brownes have split their time between Connecticut and Florida. Time was always reserved for two weeks in New Harbor with her family that has expanded to include her six grandchildren.
Known for her sunny smile, to know her was to love her. Dee will be missed by all.
She was predeceased by her father; mother; and brother, Michael.
Dee is survived by her husband of 55 years, Norris; children, Tom, Joe, and Katie; as well as her six grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that a donation be made in Dee’s name to P.E.O. – Program for Continuing Education, P.E.O Executive office, Treasure’s Dept., 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312.
Catholic mass at Our Lady of Lourdes will be on Mon., March 21 in Melbourne, Fla. A summer mass will be in Wilton, Conn. sometime in late June or early July.