CHESHIRE, Conn. – Sally Bradford Brown Vallone died Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004, after an epic and extr-aordinary eight-year fight against ovarian cancer with a courageous and indomitable spirit that her physicians called miraculous. Sally was born Oct. 7, 1932, at Waldo County General Hospital, Belfast, to Earle Brown and Ruth Bradford Brown. She was especially proud of her heritage as a direct Mayflower descendant and of a family of Maine seafarers, mariners and her dad who was a Penobscot Bay fisherman. Sally graduated from Crosby High School, Belfast, Class of 1951, where she was an extremely popular student. Her brother, Allen “Mike” Brown was a U.S. Marine and had just survived the epic Chosin Reservoir battle of the Korean War and Sally thought he and the Marines needed some help, so she enlisted in the Marines on July 25, 1951. At her discharge, she held the rank of sergeant. Sally was an unabashed patriot with Marine Corps Semper Fi spirit, which she said helped her daily to endure her battle of cancer. Following Marine military service, Sally had a along career with the Olin Co. until she retired. Sally was predeceased by her mother and father. Survivors include sons, Steven and Michael and his wife, Carolyn; and grandson, Michael James, all of Cheshire, Conn. Also her brother, Allen “Mike” Brown and wife, Mary, of Northport. Sally was extremely fond of her nieces, Sue Brown of Northport, and Beth Brown Fournier and husband, Capt. Arthur, and their sons, Doug and Pat of South Portland; and nephew, Eben Brown of Los Angeles, Calif. Sally will be sadly missed by her many friends, including her golfing pals in Cheshire, Conn., and the Northport Golf Club in Belfast. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, March 5, 2004, at the Slater Funeral Home, 242 South Main St., Cheshire, Conn. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Cheshire, Conn. Calling hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. A commemoration of Sally’s life will be held later this summer in Maine. Sally’s friends who wish to remember their friendship may donate to Cheshire Relay for Life, 538 Preston Ave., P.O. Box 1004, Meriden, CT 06540-1004.
SALLY VALLONE
