Ethel Elaine Brown

Ethel Kelly Brown Ethel Elaine Brown, 76 of Plattsburgh, surrounded by loving family, passed peacefully into the Lord's hands on Palm Sunday, April 17th, 2011 at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. Ethel was born on November 30th, 1934, in Jericho, New York. She was the lone daughter of six children born to Albert and Tessie Wood. She attended primary school at the Jericho one room school house and graduated from Altona High School in 1952. She obtained her secretarial education from OLVA Business School in 1954. Ethel married Wayne Kelly in 1954 moving to Cambridge, Massachusetts and then the Catskills prior to returning to West Plattsburgh in 1960. She devoted her life to her husband and family, raising her four children as a stay at home Mom and instilling in them the values of education, health and kindness. She was happiest in the kitchen, surrounded by loved ones, cooking wonderful homemade meals, sharing stories or a game of pinochle, visiting with neighbors, or lending an ear to a friend. Ethel was always there for those that needed her. In 1971, she worked at Ronnie's Michigan Stand where her smile and laughter were contagious and endeared her to customers who became her friends. In 1980, she began working as the Communications Operator for PSUC Security Services, a job she truly enjoyed because of her ability to do intern work with students and the friendships she made at PSUC. Her husband, Wayne died in 1982 after 28 years of marriage. In 1985, Ethel married Donald Brown and began a new chapter of her life that included travel, a vacation home in Fort Myers and more time for her passions, music and dancing. Don and Mom danced their way through a happy 12 years until Don's passing in 1997. Ethel's pastimes included gardening, sewing, canning and bowling. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and playing with her most precious dog, Marvin. She enjoyed volunteering for the St. Alexander's Church dinners by sharing her wonderful pie cooking skills. She belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters. Ethel is survived by her four children; Wayne J. Kelly, Kathleen M. Carey and partner Terry Barrett, Terri L. DuBray and partner John Weitzmann, and Karen A. Kelly; her beloved grandchildren Christopher Akey, Joseph Akey, Franklyn Akey, Ryan Carey and Michael Carey; and her treasured great grandchildren Mikaela Carey and Leah Akey. She is also survived by two brothers Robert Wood (Joan), David Wood (Cheryl), sisters-in-law Bertha Wood, Darlene Wood, Joyce Kelley, Audrey Harris (Bud), Eileen Allen (Pete), a very special cousin Nancy Hobbs, friend Phil Devins, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her husbands, her in-laws William and Mary Kelly, brothers James Wood, Leo Wood, Gary Wood, son-in-law Neil Carey, brothers -in- law Robert Kelley, Donald Kelly, Clarence Kelley, sisters-in-law Joyce LaFreniere, Harriett Wood, and Terry Calderaro. Very special people in Ethel's life were her friends Rose, Carol Anne, Joyce, Becky and Vicki. Due to the support and caring of her son Wayne, she was able to stay in their home over the last two years being cared for with kindness and much laughter. Calling hours will be Wednesday, April 20, 2011 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, April 20, 2010 at 6:00 p. m. at St. John's Church. Interment will be held Thursday, May 12, at St. Alexander's Cemetery, Morrisonville following a memorial mass which will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. Alexander's Church, Morrisonville. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the CVPH Nursing Scholarship Fund, C/O Brown Funeral Home. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh. (518) 561-3980. Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.