Joanne Niven Brown, 78, of Boothbay, died June 9 at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor, following an illness.
The only child of Clifford White Etheridge Jr., and Eugenia Holcomb, she was born July 6, 1931 in Asheville, N.C. A child when her mother remarried hotelier Dougal Burke Niven Jr., she was subsequently adopted by her stepfather.
Joanne spent the majority of her youth in Asheville, N.C., and West Palm Beach, Fla. At age 19, following graduation from West Palm Beach High School, she moved to New York City. After completing an interior design course, over the next few years she was employed in various capacities at Saks Fifth Avenue, Time Life Corporation and The United Nations.
On July 1, 1955, she married Roger Alan Brown at Grace United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Ga. In accordance with Roger’s career as a sales executive, the Browns made their home first in Dayton, Ohio, and later, in Waldwick and Rumson, N.J.
In 1971 the couple moved with their two children to Boothbay. It was there that Joanne and Roger successfully founded the Basket Barn of Maine in 1972, followed soon after by a gift shop, The Wildflower. After their sale of the businesses in 1986, Joanne was employed for 20 years as a proofreader and customer service representative at the Boothbay Register, retiring in December 2006.
Her interests were many and varied. They included travel, the arts, literature and gardening. In her later years, Joanne was rarely seen without her faithful canine companion, a rescued Pug named Mabel.
She was predeceased by her husband, Roger A. Brown in 2004; mother, Eugenia H. Niven in 1996; and stepfather, D.B. Niven Jr. in 1968.
Survivors include a son, Philip Brooks Brown of Dingmans Ferry, Penn.; daughter, Paula Eugenia Brown of Boothbay; grandson, Philip Brooks Brown Jr. of Point Pleasant, N.J.; several cousins, including Marcia Messer of Gastonia, N.C.; and many close friends.
At Joanne’s request, no public memorial service is scheduled. A “celebration of life” for family and close friends will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice, 40 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543; or The Lincoln County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556. Please note “in memory of Joanne Brown” on all correspondence.
