Celebrating the life of
Geraldine Anne Brown
June 08, 1922 - May 30, 2009
SAVANNAH - Geraldine Anne Brown, 87, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2009, at Azalealand Nursing Home in Savannah, GA.
Mrs. Brown was born in Poughkeepsie, NY, January 8, 1922, the daughter of the late Anthony and Mary Racine. She was a communicant at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church and, later, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Poughkeepsie. She graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1939. Her talents as a musician and dancer enabled her to represent Eastern New York State at the 1939 Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, NJ.
In 1944 she married John Wesley Brown, who served with the U. S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. Mr. Brown preceded her in death in 1993.
For many years Mrs. Brown managed the cosmetic department at the Mack Pharmacy in Poughkeepsie and later assumed the same responsibilities at the CVS store also in Poughkeepsie.
Later in life, Mrs. Brown moved from Poughkeepsie to Cape Coral, FL and resided there for many years. She became an active member of St. Andrew Catholic Church, serving as a minister of the Eucharist. She also volunteered many hours of her time at a retirement center in Cape Coral. Her outgoing, caring personality endeared her to everyone she met.
In 2004 she moved to Savannah, GA and resided at the Rose of Sharon Senior Citizen apartments. Late in 2005 she was admitted to Tara Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Thunderbolt, GA and was relocated to Azalealand Nursing Home in 2008. Alzheimer's disease required her to receive constant care. She accepted her condition very well and was a source of joy for everyone until she succumbed to the disease.
Mrs. Brown is survived by a daughter, Judith Olivieri , Beverly, MA and a son Br. Timothy Brown, O.S.B. , Savannah, GA; two granddaughters Mrs. Peter Lora Carr, Bloomfield, CT, and Mrs. Chet Lisa Hampton, Cromwell, CT; two great-grandchildren, Charlee Carr and Vaughn Hampton; and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Poughkeepsie, NY on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 11 a.m. The Rt. Rev. Abbot Douglas Nowicki O.S.B. will preside. Interment will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Poughkeepsie, NY with a reception at Gino's Restaurant in Poughkeepsie to follow.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10001. Memorials can be made with a credit card by phone: 866-232-8484; or online at www.alzfdn.org.
Please sign our on line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
Dear Judy & Tim, I have many wonderful memories of your Mom, esp. at your childhood home.Her grace and spirituality were so beautiful. I know that you will miss her, but are comforted knowing she is at peace in Heaven. We are blessed to have known her. God bless you and your family always. Love, Chris and Randy Kelsey
- christine kelsey, pleasant valley, NY
Dear Brother Tim, 'Miss Gerry' is at peace and smiling down upon you. These final years of her life, she was so blessed to be in your care. Now, she is in God's hands. May you share her peace. Love, Frank and Deb
- Frank and Deb Antosca, Savannah, GA
Thanks to all of our friends who have taken the time to sign the guestbook. Your kind words are a great comfort. I know Mom is smiling at you from her place in Heaven.
- Timothy Brown, Savannah, GA
We have so many fond memories of Geri........starting w/ Mack Drug when my husband was a Mngr. there. She was the 'classiest' lady I have ever had the pleasure of meeting! And I was able to work w/ her at CVS, as well...We had wonderful times! She will be missed greatly, but we all have wonderful memories!
- Bonnie & Joe Clark, Poughkeepsie, NY
Geri was a life long family friend. For many years I cared for her lawns in Poughkeepsie and was treated like a grandson by both Gerri and her mother ‘Nana”. My sympathies go out to her family. Shawn J. Clark
- Shawn J Clark, Poughkeepsie Gardiner, NY
So sorry to hear about Aunt Gerry. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. I have some great memories of Aunt Gerry and all the family gatherings.
- Edie Whalen, Westtown, NY
I was deeply saddened to hear of Gerry's passing. She was a second mom to my own mother and a grandmother to me. We spent many days playing cards, swimming at her neighbors, going to the DC Fair every year and visiting many historical sites around Dutchess County. We also visted her in Florida. She was extremely influential in my childhood and because of her I am who and what I am today. She was a lady of class and her warmth was infectious to all around her. She will be missed greatly.
- Nicole Visconti Improta, Poughkeepsie, NY
Sorry to here of your loss. At times like this it brings back so many memories of the family parties and sitting and playing on the back porch.
- Joe Morrill, Highland, NY
To the Family of Geraldine..our deepest sympathy.May her soul rest in peace.
- Jack and Louise Whalen, Wesley Chapel, FL
So sorry to hear of Gerry's passing.I was the store manager for Mack and CVS pharmacy during Gerry's time with us. She was the best and always had a smile on her face for anyone. A pleasant and kind person and we will miss her dearly.
- Rich & Jessie Gaddis, Poughkeepsie, NY
We will always love you. We'll meet again in heaven. Love, Irene & Nicole
- Irene DeVliegher, Newburgh, NY
Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter. I have such fond memories. Like the first time we dyed my hair in the summer of 1966! Consider yourself blessed to have had her for so long. My mom's been gone for 36 years. The sadness passes the memories are forever.
- Elaine Weglinski, Pleasant Valley, NY
Dr. Brother Tim, It has been my honor and pleasure to share time with your mother on Fridays. She has been a delight to my heart and taught me the true lesson of generosity. Without fail she greeted me with a gentle hand and spirit each time I went to visit her. Even til the very last when she could barely lift her head, she greeted me with loving eyes. What an amazing graced filled mother. I am blessed to have known her and to have been her student. With much love and prayers of joy. Nancy Grace
- Nancy Schomburg, Savannah, GA
Dr. Brother Tim, It has been my honor and pleasure to share time with your mother on Fridays. She has been a delight to my heart and taught me the true lesson of generosity. Without fail she greeted me with a gentle hand and spirit each time I went to visit her. Even til the very last when she could barely lift her head, she greeted me with loving eyes. What an amazing graced filled mother. I am blessed to have known her and to have been her student. With much love and prayers of joy. Nancy Grace
- Nancy Schomburg, Savannah, GA
Ms. Gerry you will truly be missed by everyone who has had the privilege to know you whether it was early in life or during your final days on this Earth. I was very fortunate to meet you during your last few days of human life - but I will remember you forever as a petite lady with a loving family and an outstanding life brought to me by seeing pictures of you when you were 17 on Broadway thru the time with your children, Brother Tim and Judy and your time in Savannah. I will remember your brilliant eyes and tender touch as you held my hand during your final hours. You will be remembered by many and I know we all look forward to seeing you in Heaven.
- cathy laube, savannah, GA
Dear Judy & Tim, I have many wonderful memories of your Mom, esp. at your childhood home.Her grace and spirituality were so beautiful. I know that you will miss her, but are comforted knowing she is at peace in Heaven. We are blessed to have known her. God bless you and your family always. Love, Chris and Randy Kelsey
- christine kelsey, pleasant valley, NY
Dear Brother Tim, 'Miss Gerry' is at peace and smiling down upon you. These final years of her life, she was so blessed to be in your care. Now, she is in God's hands. May you share her peace. Love, Frank and Deb
- Frank and Deb Antosca, Savannah, GA
Thanks to all of our friends who have taken the time to sign the guestbook. Your kind words are a great comfort. I know Mom is smiling at you from her place in Heaven.
- Timothy Brown, Savannah, GA
We have so many fond memories of Geri........starting w/ Mack Drug when my husband was a Mngr. there. She was the 'classiest' lady I have ever had the pleasure of meeting! And I was able to work w/ her at CVS, as well...We had wonderful times! She will be missed greatly, but we all have wonderful memories!
- Bonnie & Joe Clark, Poughkeepsie, NY
Geri was a life long family friend. For many years I cared for her lawns in Poughkeepsie and was treated like a grandson by both Gerri and her mother ‘Nana”. My sympathies go out to her family. Shawn J. Clark
- Shawn J Clark, Poughkeepsie Gardiner, NY
So sorry to hear about Aunt Gerry. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. I have some great memories of Aunt Gerry and all the family gatherings.
- Edie Whalen, Westtown, NY
I was deeply saddened to hear of Gerry's passing. She was a second mom to my own mother and a grandmother to me. We spent many days playing cards, swimming at her neighbors, going to the DC Fair every year and visiting many historical sites around Dutchess County. We also visted her in Florida. She was extremely influential in my childhood and because of her I am who and what I am today. She was a lady of class and her warmth was infectious to all around her. She will be missed greatly.
- Nicole Visconti Improta, Poughkeepsie, NY
Sorry to here of your loss. At times like this it brings back so many memories of the family parties and sitting and playing on the back porch.
- Joe Morrill, Highland, NY
To the Family of Geraldine..our deepest sympathy.May her soul rest in peace.
- Jack and Louise Whalen, Wesley Chapel, FL
So sorry to hear of Gerry's passing.I was the store manager for Mack and CVS pharmacy during Gerry's time with us. She was the best and always had a smile on her face for anyone. A pleasant and kind person and we will miss her dearly.
- Rich & Jessie Gaddis, Poughkeepsie, NY
We will always love you. We'll meet again in heaven. Love, Irene & Nicole
- Irene DeVliegher, Newburgh, NY
Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter. I have such fond memories. Like the first time we dyed my hair in the summer of 1966! Consider yourself blessed to have had her for so long. My mom's been gone for 36 years. The sadness passes the memories are forever.
- Elaine Weglinski, Pleasant Valley, NY
Dr. Brother Tim, It has been my honor and pleasure to share time with your mother on Fridays. She has been a delight to my heart and taught me the true lesson of generosity. Without fail she greeted me with a gentle hand and spirit each time I went to visit her. Even til the very last when she could barely lift her head, she greeted me with loving eyes. What an amazing graced filled mother. I am blessed to have known her and to have been her student. With much love and prayers of joy. Nancy Grace
- Nancy Schomburg, Savannah, GA
Dr. Brother Tim, It has been my honor and pleasure to share time with your mother on Fridays. She has been a delight to my heart and taught me the true lesson of generosity. Without fail she greeted me with a gentle hand and spirit each time I went to visit her. Even til the very last when she could barely lift her head, she greeted me with loving eyes. What an amazing graced filled mother. I am blessed to have known her and to have been her student. With much love and prayers of joy. Nancy Grace
- Nancy Schomburg, Savannah, GA
Ms. Gerry you will truly be missed by everyone who has had the privilege to know you whether it was early in life or during your final days on this Earth. I was very fortunate to meet you during your last few days of human life - but I will remember you forever as a petite lady with a loving family and an outstanding life brought to me by seeing pictures of you when you were 17 on Broadway thru the time with your children, Brother Tim and Judy and your time in Savannah. I will remember your brilliant eyes and tender touch as you held my hand during your final hours. You will be remembered by many and I know we all look forward to seeing you in Heaven.
- cathy laube, savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
