Jeannette Marie (Parent) Brown

Jeannette Marie (Parent) Brown (92) of Wilmington, Vermont was received into the Lords arms on February 1, 2024. She passed peacefully at her home after being surrounded by and cared for by her loving family.

Jeannette was born at home in Heartwellville, Vermont on January 21, 1932, daughter of Arthur and Irene (Aubertine) Parent, stepdaughter of Paul H. Pratt. She grew up in Wilmington and attended Wilmington Central School.

She married the love of her life, Earl L. Brown at St. Joachim’s in Readsboro, Vermont on August 27, 1949. They celebrated their 60th Anniversary in 2009. Earl passed away in the spring of 2010.

Jeannette and her siblings were brought up by their mother at the “Roundhouse” at the end of Shafter Street in Wilmington. Their father died at the age of 42, she was 13.

After the flood of 1938, she and some friends snuck into a building that was located behind the Dot’s restaurant, that was severely leaning towards the river after being nearly washed away from the flood. She wanted to play the piano that was within it.

After she married Earl, they moved into an apartment at the Sage house, now The Wilmington Inn. Before their first child was born, they moved back into the Roundhouse and started growing their family. In 1964, with the help of family and friends, particularly Rummy and Hannah Sullivan, they built their beloved home nearly at the top of Lisle Hill, just above The Wilmington Town Common. Their home is the place where many family gatherings take place including a granddaughter’s marriage and the second home to their grandchildren.

Although her devotion to life was taking care of her family and home, she had several jobs outside the home. Her first job was the New England Boxwood Co, known by the locals as “The Plywood”. She later worked for the Old Red Mill as a housekeeper with her dear friends Hannah Sullivan, Bunny Johnson, and Nellie White. She then worked at G.S. Precision and the Grand Union in Wilmington for numerous years after her children were grown. After she retired she took care of her mother at home until her mother passed away in 1995.

She was a long-time member of Nelson E. Pickwell Unit 15 of the American Legion Auxiliary, serving many years as President. She was awarded the American Legion Citizenship Award for her services to the Legion and community.

She was a devoted member and communicant of Our Lady of Fatima Parish and member of the Fatima Ladies Guild. She took great joy in participating in the church choir, expressing her love for the Lord through worship and musical devotion. Her unwavering love for and faith in God, not only strengthened her commitment to the church but also served as a guiding light throughout her life.

Her greatest love was for her home and family, she was a wonderful cook and baker, passing the love to her daughters, one cooks and the other bakes, and to her granddaughters. She enjoyed sewing and Christmas crafts. Took pleasure in gardening and spent many summers growing beautiful flowers, shrubs, and trees. Many of her plants she moved from old family homesteads. She enjoyed watching the birds and wild animals that visited her home. Jeannette was a cubscout den mother. She was a member of the Wilmington Historical Society, taught catechism and was an avid bowler with the Seniors (of Wilmington), many dear old friends, meeting every week and sharing so many stories of growing up in Wilmington.

She leaves her daughters, Diana and Rose Brown both of Wilmington, sons Brent Brown and his wife Lorraine (Lowe) of West Dover; Bret Brown and his wife Ann (Cross) of Wilmington. Her sister-in-law Hazel (Powling) Brown. Her grandchildren Rusty Sage, Rachel (Sage) and husband John Lazelle, Rae (Sage) Grabel, Melissa (Brown) and husband Shawn Hammond, Sara (Brown) and husband James “Rob” Sterns. Step grandchildren; Earl Rafus IV, Mark Rafus and Aaron Rafus. 9 great grandchildren; Robin, Rebecca, Jessie, Johnathan “Earl”, Arianna, Ethan, Bramble, Raven, and Rowan. Many step-great grandchildren. She has one great-great grandson, JJ and another one the way. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She also leaves her beloved cat, Rover, or Moses, Merlin, or Bozo- depending on the day.

She was preceded in death by her husband Earl, her brothers Raymond and Leonard Parent; sisters Anita Passardi and Barbara Randall. Sisters-in-laws Barbara Parent, M. Joanne Brown, Joanne F. Brown and Rita Haskins. Her brothers-in-laws Stuart Brown, Donald Brown, Carl (Tabe) Brown, Philip Haskins, Edward Lescarbeau, Alfred Passardi and James Randall.

In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, memorial gifts in Jeannette’s name may be made to the Wilmington Firefighters Association or Deerfield Valley Rescue Squad, c/o Covey-Allen and Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 215 Wilmington, VT 05363.

Visiting hours will be held Wednesday February 7, 2024- 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, 44 East Main Street, Wilmington, VT. A Mass of Christian death and burial will be held at Our Lady Of Fatima on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 11:00 AM. A Reception will follow the funeral services at the Wilmington Fire House. Please park at the Old School House for the reception. Burial with Earl at the Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington will be planned for the spring.

To send the family personal condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted arrangements to the care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, 44 East Main Street, Wilmington, VT.