Edna Russell Curtis Brown

Edna Russell Curtis Brown, age 96, passed away on March 15, 2015 at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Edna was born in Greenfield, MA on November 12, 1918, the daughter of Henry Fredrick Curtis and Florence (Russell) Curtis. 

Edna’s mother died when she was only four and she spent the rest of her childhood looking for a mother.  Edna graduated from Greenfield High School in 1936.  She married Ernest Everett Brown on December 11, 1936 and they had a remarkable fun-filled life together.  They lived in Maine, Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts.  She was widowed by his untimely death on April 1, 1976. 

Edna & Ernest had five sons; Fred, Howard, Arthur, Edward, and Raymond; but Edna also helped raise another twenty or more children as Grandma, Auntie, or Nanny… a vocation that she followed well into her 80’s.  From 1966 to 1973, she cared for veterans at Highland Manor…doing all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry for 18 men all by herself.  Edna was a hard worker her whole life. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her eldest son, Fred and his wife, Roberta of Saratoga Springs, NY, with whom she made her last home; her son Howard of Hudson, Ohio; and her youngest son Raymond and his wife, Sandi, of Gales Ferry, CT; eleven grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; and two great, great grandchildren.  She also leaves several nieces and nephews and their families, all of whom she adored.  Edna was a shining example of unconditional love and forgiveness. 

In addition to her parents and husband, Edna was predeceased by her son Arthur who was killed in Vietnam, her son Edward, her two sisters, Helen and Hazel, and two daughter-in-laws, Irene and Chris. 

Honoring her wishes, there will be no calling hours.  There will be a graveside service in the Green River Cemetery, in Greenfield, MA, in the spring, followed by a reception.