Imogene Brown

04/09/1917 – 07/18/2012
Gene Brown, age 95, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at home in Bellingham. She  was born April 9, 1917 in Mora, MN to Almer and Lila Peterson. During the early 1930’s the family moved west to Washington. Gene graduated from Marysville High School in 1935 and attended Western Washington College of Education for over 3 years. Gene married Frank Brown on June 18, 1938. She was a longtime, active member of St. James Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and participated in the Women of St. James. She was a committed member of the PTA and a recipient of their Golden Acorn Award. Passionate about politics, Gene was a lifetime member of the League of Women Voters and served as president of the Bellingham/Whatcom County chapter from 1985-89. She was an active community volunteer with many local organizations. Gene enjoyed world travel with her husband Frank, gardening and photography. She was a loving wife and devoted mother. Gene and Frank raised their family on the Southside, residing over 65 years in the same home on Park Ridge Road. Gene was preceded in death by her husband Frank, son Michael, brothers Almer “Bud” Peterson and Robert Peterson and sister Shirley Carlos. She is survived by her children Susan Bornstein, David (Kathy) Brown, Steven (Philomena) Brown, Libby Brown-Osuga (Katsunori), daughter-in-law Sandy Brown, grandchildren Erin, Dana, Eric “Lefty,” Eirik, Heidi, Megan, Dylan, Luke and Karin, 13 great-grandchildren, and many loving relatives and friends. Memorials may be made to the League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County, Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood or YWCA Bellingham. A Memorial Service will be held at St. James Presbyterian Church on Saturday August 11 at 11 AM, followed by a reception at the church.

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