Marilyn Winifred Brown (Burke) Obituary (1931

THOMASTON - Marilyn W. Brown, 84, beloved wife of the Reverend Joseph Brown, went home to be with the Lord, Friday, June 26, 2015. Born May 29, 1931, in Everett, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of Mark and Winifred Burke. Educated in Massachusetts, she graduated from Melrose High School class of 1949. Following high school, Marilyn attended New England Bible Institute in Framingham, Massachusetts. Here she met and fell in love with Joseph Brown. After graduating from Bible College in 1952 she moved to Torrington, CT and worked at the 1st Assembly of God Church which Joe had established. Joe and Marilyn were married in September, 1953 in Massachusetts. They continued to minister in Torrington until 1961. Their son William and daughter Judy were born here. Next they moved to Hamburg, New Jersey where they pastored at the Assembly of God Church. While here Marilyn worked as a secretary at the elementary school. In 1963 the couple moved to Springfield, Missouri while Rev. Brown continued his education, Marilyn worked for Gospel Publishing House. Moving to Maine in 1965, Marilyn and Rev. Brown pastored the Thomaston Assembly of God Church. While in Thomaston, they welcomed their third child, a son, Mark, into their family. For many years she worked as the church secretary. Together they helped to grow and expand the ministry there. Over the years Mrs. Brown held various jobs locally. She was employed for several years as a caregiver at the Lucette Boarding Home, and also served as an English teacher for four years with Thomaston Grammar School. After Rev. Brown's retirement in 1995, the couple remained active in the ministry and the community, serving as interim pastor at the Thomaston Federated Church. From an early age, Marilyn was an avid reader. Her love of reading continued into her adult life, and she was a frequent visitor to the Thomaston Public Library. She was patriotic, and enjoyed being active in her community. Marilyn loved to travel. All through her husband's career, the couple enjoyed many road trips, often tenting in various parks. She was especially thrilled to have taken a trip to England for their 25th wedding anniversary. After their retirement, church members presented them with a trip to Israel and Greece. They took great pleasure in sharing this trip with many of the church members. Predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law Gloria and Harold Sellers; and a brother, Nicholas Burke; Marilyn is survived by her husband Reverend Joseph Brown of Thomaston; her children, William Brown and his wife June of Hope, Judith Hastings and her husband Ronnie of Thomaston, Mark Brown and his wife Sonya of Columbia, S.C.; a sister-in-law Irene Duell of Florida; four grandchildren, James Brown and his wife Heidi, Lynn Jackson and her husband Ravi, Stacy Whitley and her husband Sam, Scott Hastings and his wife Kristy; eight great-grandchildren, Colton and Hailie, Felicity and Mina, Brayden, Tessa, and Tucker, and Bobby; as well as several nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to visit from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home. A Home-Going Celebration will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, July 2, 2015 at Thomaston Assembly of God Church. Interment will follow at Village Cemetery, Thomaston. Those who wish may make memorial donations to the Thomaston Assembly of God Church, 14 Roxbury Street, Thomaston, Maine 04861; or the Thomaston Public Library, 60 Main Street, Thomaston, ME 04861. To share a memory or condolence with Marilyn's family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.2d:{"d