FREEPORT – Mary Flanders Brown died peacefully May 18, 2005, at Freeport Place. She was born July 25, 1924, in Monmouth. She was the daughter of Harold and Anna (Blake) Flanders. She graduated from Monmouth Academy in 1942. She married Charles Brown in August of 1942. She was a devoted and faithful minister’s wife for 62 years, living in Bucksport, Stockbridge, Mass. and Sandy Point. In 1974, at the age of 50, she went back to school to fulfill a dream and became a licensed practical nurse to work in a profession she loved, caring for others. She worked in hospitals and nursing homes in Bangor, Bucksport and Ellsworth. Mary’s home and heart were always open to all. She was always willing to give of herself to others who needed her love and comfort. She made many friends playing bridge and played every chance she got. Among her hobbies and interests were; gardening, making gifts for friends and family, enjoying the many pets that shared her home, and being either in or on the water. One of her greatest joys was writing, she wrote many stories for her grandchildren, and included special poems she had written in her Christmas mailings. In all things, Mary loved to have fun. Mary was very active outside the home. She served as a counselor and dean at Pilgrim Lodge, the United Church of Christ camp on Lake Cobbossee. She also produced and directed several performances of the play The Old Peabody Pew for church benefits. She also was an active member or leader in many church groups and choirs. She was predeceased by a brother, Earle Flanders of Monmouth, and her beloved husband, Charles Brown, who died March 13, 2005. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Brown of Brunswick; her daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Paul Betit of Brunswick; and her son and daughter-in-law, Kendall and Cheryl Brown of Evansville, Ind.; a granddaughter, Hannah Brown of Berkeley, Calif.; and a grandson and his wife, Charles Joseph and Laura Betit of Brunswick; and grandson, Christopher Betit, also of Brunswick; sister, Eleanor Flanders of Monmouth; and sister-in-law, Mildred Flanders of Monmouth; nieces and nephews. A committal service for both Charles and Mary will be held Monday, May 23, starting at 12:00 at the Bragdon-Finley Funeral Home, Main Street, Monmouth. Interment will be held at the Monmouth Ridge Cemetery. A Service of Remembrance and Celebration for Mary will be held 2 P.M. Monday May 23, at the United Church of Monmouth, Main Street, followed by a reception in the church hall. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Monmouth Museum, P.O. Box 352, Monmouth, ME 04259 or for dementia research to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Ave., 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601. Letters of condolence may be sent to: bfinleyfh@adelphia.net
MARY FLANDERS BROWN
