Mary Williams Brown

Mary Williams Brown TRAVERSE CITY — Mary Williams Brown, 94, passed away on Nov. 11, 2013, at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City. Mary was born on May 24, 1919, on a farm to the late James and Margaret Williams in Morris, Ill. When Mary was about five years old, Charles Lindberg was flying mail from St. Louis to Chicago. Often times pilots had to land on farms because of inclement weather. Lindberg landed on their farm several times, spent the night at their home, and flew into Chicago the next day. Mary remembers having sat on Lindberg’s lap. After graduating from Morris High School in 1937 she attended Illinois State Normal University at Normal, Ill., where she received an Illinois Teaching Certificate, and taught in Illinois until after World War II ended. During World War II she married Edwin P. Brown from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. When the war ended they moved to Lansing. She completed her B.A. and M.A. Degrees in Education at Michigan State University in East Lansing. She taught 34 years, 18 of those years she was an elementary school principal in Lansing. They had one daughter, Nancy, who preceded them in death at age 32. When she and her husband retired they moved to Traverse City and built a home on Grand Traverse Bay. She was a member of the Central United Methodist Church and a member of the Friendly Garden Club in Traverse City, where she was president for two years. She also was a member of Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Michigan for many years and enjoyed doing Japanese flower arranging. She and her husband enjoyed traveling and visited many countries throughout the world and had gone on many cruises. She is survived by her niece, Lorain Covey; a great-niece, Susan (Edward) Reinsch; great-nephew, Steven (Maureen) Covey; great-grandnieces, Allison (Reinsch) Robb and Kristie Covey; and great-grandnephew, Scott Covey. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; their daughter, Nancy; her parents, James and Margaret Williams; and a sister, Evelyn Lasch. Cremation has taken place. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m., with a visitation at 10 a.m., at Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684. Refreshments will be served at the church after the service. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Morris, Ill., where graveside services will be held in the spring. Memorials may be sent to Central United Methodist Church or to a charity of one’s choice.

Mary Williams Brown

May 24, 1919 - November 11, 2013