MONTICELLO – Joyce M. (Cousins) Brown, 77, died peacefully Dec. 2, 2009, at home. She was born May 21, 1932, in Blaine, the fifth child of Edward and Lucy (Stickney) Cousins. Joyce was orphaned by her parents at an early age and became a ward of the state of Maine until she was 17 years old. Her first foster parent was Mrs. Bernice Tweedie, who loved her dearly until she became unable to care for her due to poor health. Her last foster parents were Edwin and Dorothy Nixon, who thought of her as a daughter, and Joyce reciprocated the thought for the family she never had. She attended Houlton schools and graduated from Houlton High School, Class of 1950, where she met and later married Michael G. Brown, in 1951. Joyce was actively engaged in farming with Michael for many years in Monticello where they made their home and where she remained until her death. Farming brought many changes in those years, some pleasant and some difficult times. Her children were the love of her life and she was well loved by all that knew her. Joyce is survived by five children all of Maine, Gloria and her companion, Dorrance Marstaller, of Durham, Barbara and her husband, Tom Brown, of Monticello, David and his wife, Martena McAvoy, of Limington, Robert and his wife, Mary, of Hampden, and Joan and her husband, James Anderson, of Presque Isle; 13 grandchildren, Daniel, Kelly, Matthew, Gregory, Jennifer, Michael, Janice, Adam, Kevin, James, Andrew, Justin and Thomas “TJ”; eight great-grandchildren, Alexander, Jordan, Abigail, Logan, Oakley, Connor, Ian and Ethan; her children’s father, Michael Brown of Houlton; her sister, Bertha Cinicola of North Haven, Conn.; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and foster parents; her sister, Evelyn; and brothers, William, Basil and Harry. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Friday at Dunn Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday at Saint Mary of the Visitation Church with the Rev. David Raymond, celebrant. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery. Gifts may be made in Joyce’s memory to the Joyce M. Brown Memorial Fund to benefit local charities, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences at www.dunnfuneral.com.
JOYCE M. BROWN
