Patricia C. Brown, 97, passed away peacefully at the Sanctuary of Geneva on October 17.
She was born on April 30, 1923, to Ora and Irma Wilkins, residents of Erie, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Millcreek High School, she continued her studies at Edinboro College with the intention of becoming a teacher. She did just that and secured a job as the second-grade teacher at West. St. Elementary in Ashtabula. While there, she happened to befriend a first-grade teacher by the name of Ruth Kaufman. As luck would have it, Ruth had an eligible nephew. Harold J. Brown was introduced to Patricia C. Wilkins and the rest is history.
Pat was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ashtabula. She enjoyed arranging the flowers for Easter and Christmas services, assisting with the church newsletter and taking up the post of deacon and elder.
She had a knack for art and enjoyed sharing her talents with friends and family, sometimes painting a portrait or two. Her skills at the stove should be applauded as well.
She managed to always make a delicious dish or plate of cookies. Her favorite cookie was the classic springarle, for which she made a pilgrimage to Erie every holiday season.
Her family will always remember Pat as a crossword enthusiast who enjoyed a good cup of coffee. In her later years, she loved seeing her friends Kelly, Steve and Mike at the local coffeehouse, The Harbor Perk. Her usual? Coffee (preferably Raspberry Almond Truffle), scone and settling down with the newspaper.
It should be noted that Pat’s maternal grandmother, Flossie, reached the age of 105. Pat nearly reached that milestone herself.
Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harold J. Brown, grandchildren Steven and William Burkholder, and her cat Arthur.
She is survived by her daughter Susan (Jeff) Burkholder, son Steve Brown, grandchildren Ben, Claire and Matt; great-grandchildren Oliver and Beatrice.
A private family ceremony was held Thursday morning at Edgewood Cemetery.
Please visit the Harbor Perk and have a cup of coffee in Pat’s memory.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Patricia C. Brown, please visit our floral store.