Obituary of Jennie Smith Brown

BROWN, Jennie Aquila Smith, 88 of Glastonbury, wife of 55 years to the late Charles W. Brown, Sr., was called home to be with her Savior on, August 11, 2016. Born March 10, 1928, to the late Clara (Wheeler) Smith and the late Abram B. Smith in Winsted, Connecticut, she lived in Glastonbury for 50 years. As a born-again Christian, she always attended local churches. Beautiful inside and out, she was committed to her faith which caused her to treat others with love and kindness. Her gentle nature and loving spirit endeared her to all who knew her. Mrs. Brown, an alumna of Gilbert High School in Winsted, received a 3-year certificate in dressmaking and fashion design from Hartford Technical School. She worked as a seamstress for G. Fox & Co. and Sage-Allen stores in the alteration department. Her training and experience influenced and enhanced her sense of elegance and style. She was always dressed impeccably and with flair. Later she took courses in early childhood education at St. Joseph’s College eventually earning an Associates degree in English literature from Hartford College for Women. She became a nursery school teacher and after moving to Glastonbury she continued teaching as a substitute teacher in the elementary schools and as a sewing instructor and ESL teacher in the adult education division. Always religious and artistic, blessed with a beautiful voice, she sang in church choirs and wrote religious music and poetry. She spent many hours reading and studying the Bible sharing the Gospel and doting on both family and friends. She leaves to cherish her memory, a son Charles (MaryLee) Brown of Hardwick, VT; a daughter, Attorney Jeannette L. Brown of Glastonbury; a former daughter in-law Tania (Renfrew) Thomas of Plainfield, VT; Predeceased by her parents, a sister, Margaret (Smith) Parks; two half-brothers, George and Edward Smith; and her husband Charles; her passing will be mourned by a sister, Marion Smith Hanson of West Hartford; a brother Abram W. Smith, of Whittier, CA; a sister Henrietta (Smith) Reed of East Litchfield; a brother Daniel R. Smith, Sr. (Loretta) of Washington, D.C.; a granddaughter Cassidy Renfrew of Montpelier, VT; two grandsons, Will Renfrew Brown of Kotzebue, AK, and Micah James Brown of Honolulu, HI and a great-granddaughter Vivian Thomas of Plainfield, VT. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws and dear friends who will miss her, particularly her close friends, Ann Coakley and Bea Hahn of Glastonbury. A memorial service of thanksgiving in celebration of her life will be held Saturday August 20th at 2 p.m. at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Glastonbury, the Rev. Denise Cabana officiating. A reception will follow. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the music fund of St. James’ Episcopal Church P. O. Box 206, Glastonbury, CT 06033 or World Vision International P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063, www.worldvision.org.For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.