Obituary of Jean R. Brown

Jean Rosalie Brown, a longtime resident of Larchmont, passed away peacefully on 24 November 2013 at her home, with her family by her side. She was 85 years old. Born on 10 June 1928 to Stanley Slaymaker and Gerda Slyfield Slaymaker, she grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and moved to Chicago as a young woman. Pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Les Brown, who passed away on 4 November 2013, she is survived by her children: daughters Jessica (husband Brent Mitchell) and Rebecca (husband Todd Adelman) and son Josh (wife Michele Garner). She was the proud grandmother of Ryan and Elise Mitchell, Abilene Adelman and Jamison and Waylon Brown. Her sister, Gerda Janicke of Sharon, Connecticut, and her brother, Roy Slaymaker of Nashville, Tennessee, also survive her. In the late 1950s she worked at the Chicago Sun Times as an advice columnist, writing under the pseudonym Nona Drake. Jean Brown was a devoted mother and an engaged member of her community, giving generously of her time to various organizations. She volunteered for many years at Mamaroneck High School in the College Information Center, worked with the local Democratic Committee, and was a longtime member of the Community Unitarian Church at White Plains. A lover of antiques, Jean Brown had an antiques business called Upcountry Collectibles with a presence in Connecticut and Westchester. She was passionate about being in the outdoors and spent much time with her family and friends in North Bennington, Vermont and in Banff, Canada. In her sixties a milestone birthday celebration included hiking in the Canadian Rockies with her family. She also traveled extensively with her husband and family over the years, visiting places such as England, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Brazil and the Caribbean, among others. Plans for a celebration of Jean Brown's life will be held at the Community Unitarian Church of White Plains, New York April 26th 11:00 AM. She is greatly missed by her family and friends. Donations can be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America http://www.alzfdn.org.