Ellen "Hope" Brown
Ellen Hope Brown passed away on May 24, 2016 at the Long Term Care facility in Plains, Montana with her family by her side. Hope was born in Monticello, New York on May 2, 1932, married Alfred Brown on May 25, 1952 and died just one day short of their 64th wedding anniversary. Hope spent her life taking care of people. She spent her early married life as a foster mother to countless children, adopting two of those children into her family. She is well remembered as the cook for the senior meals program in Walton, New York and Kilmarnock, Virginia. Hope and Alfred raised their four children in the beautiful Delaware Valley in upstate New York, where they made their home for over 40 years. They moved to the Northern Neck of Virginia in 1997, fulfilling their lifelong dream of living in Virginia. The Browns moved to Plains, Montana in 2003. Hope spent her final years taking care of her family that she loved so much, her husband Alfred, her older sister, Hilda and sons Daniel and Stewart Michael (Little Mike).
Hope was a talented seamstress, making amazing doll clothes for her grandchildren and other children in the community. She spent every Thursday in her “sewing room” with her favorite ladies, making quilts that were donated to numerous organizations, including St. Patrick Hospital Cancer Center, children in India, the Baptist Missions Closet, Veterans organizations, and the Long Term Care Facility in Plains, just to name a few. In her spare time she would crochet the most beautiful afghans, which were usually given away to visitors or acquaintances. Her other love was for cooking and baking; she made wonderful meals and always had a fresh loaf of homemade bread for visitors. She is remembered in Walton, New York for her beautiful wedding and birthday cakes.
Alfred and Hope were long-time members of the Baptist Church in Plains, and her deep faith was evident to everyone who met her. Hope had a special gift when it came to caring for people, giving a word of encouragement or just a smile to brighten the day.
Hope is survived by her husband Alfred; her two sisters Hilda Shaver and Lena Brown; three sons Michael Brown (Melissa), Daniel Brown and Stewart Michael Brown (Little Mike); one daughter Bethanie McGouldrick; and her three grandchildren Samantha McGouldrick, Sophia Brown and Audrey Brown.
A celebration of Hope’s life will be held on June 12th at the Plains Baptist Church at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Sanders County Cancer Network.