Obituary: Frances Brown

Frances Brown, beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend died in Grand Junction, Colo. on Dec. 12, 2013. She was compassionate, generous and courageous, a kind and caring soul. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to others.
Survivors include one son, William W (Shelia), of Leawood, Kan.; two daughters, Tracy (Holger), of Grand Junction, Colo., and daughter, Jesslyn, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Y. Brown; her eldest daughter, Beverly: and her grandson, William R. Brown.
Frances began her life in Kansas City, Mo., the youngest of four daughters raised by parents Ethel and Francis Wright. Early memories include riding the street car to her cello lessons, riding in the jump seat of her dad’s Model-T to go to Swope Park for picnics and singing songs and reciting jingles with her older sisters.
After graduating from Kansas State University, she married her high school sweetheart, Bill Brown, in 1938. Within just a few years, they set off on an adventure of a lifetime that led to 30 years living overseas in Venezuela, Great Britain and Australia, where Bill worked in the oil industry. During this time, they raised four children, and Frances always created a comfortable home for Bill and their children, no matter how daunting the circumstances.
When her beloved husband, Bill, died in 1972, Frances made a decision to move to western Colorado. She had a lifelong love of nature and the mountains drew her here.
Living for many years in Meeker, she built a cabin on Burro Mountain, soon nicknamed “Brown’s Palace.” She hosted countless gatherings of friends and relatives where all joined in on the cooking of meals, long hikes, card playing and deer watching. Every year her “devoted” hummingbirds would return for their trusted sugar water.
In 1996, Frances moved to Grand Junction, and in 2008, moved into the Atrium. She loved visiting with her friends there, playing Scrabble and Bingo, writing in her journal and participating in all the activities, including her favorite, sing-a-long. Her friends at the Atrium called her their “song bird.”
Frances was a birthright Quaker and developed a strong social conscience from her upbringing. Through the years, she dedicated her time and efforts to different organizations, including Meals on Wheels in Meeker, Roice Hurst Humane Society and Senior Companions in Grand Junction.
She carried her faith all through her life. We find comfort in knowing that she is now at peace, without pain or sorrow, and is finally united with her beloved husband, sisters, daughter and grandson.
Gifts may be made in Frances’ memory to Hope West Hospice, 3090B North 12th St., Grand Junction, Colo., 81506.