Claudette E. Brown

Claudette E. Brown, age 86 of Grove City, Ohio passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Saturday, April 24, 2021. She made the world more interesting, and her love of life and people will not be forgotten. What she lacked in physical size she made up for in an overabundance of positive energy and kindness. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by many.

Claudette was born in Old Town, Maine on June 27, 1934 to the late Raoul and Odila (Roy) Montana. Claudette spent most of her youth in Lewiston, Maine and enjoyed returning to Maine to spend her summers with family and friends after she retired. As an adult, she moved to Central Ohio and raised her family. Claudette was an active parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church where she was a member of the Silver Streaks, taking great pride in leading the senior group's activities for many years. She worked for the Grove City Public Library from 1981-2000 as a librarian at the circulation desk where she interacted with patrons, and later oversaw the Library's Outreach Program where she loved delivering books to seniors and homebound readers. She enjoyed her work at the library as it gave her an opportunity to share her passion for reading. In fact, as she neared retirement her one request of her bosses was that she be allowed to spend the night in the library alone so she could wander the stacks of books undisturbed around the clock. She didn't get one minute of sleep that night.

Claudette embraced life and was grateful for every day that was given to her. She cherished the times she was able to travel on trips to visit her children in New York, Seattle, Chicago, and Palm Springs and enjoyed family gatherings hosted at her daughter's farm in Harrisburg, Ohio. Claudette thrived on adventure, learning, and exploring new things. She went on some great trips to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Italy, and Hawaii and for years after could tell anyone the finest details of each trip. She was incredibly funny, witty, and fiercely independent. As she celebrated her 70th birthday, she won $70 on a bet to eat a live cicada. This feat was shown on the local TV news that evening. On her 81st birthday she got a tattoo on her ankle with four simple letters "L-O-V-E."

Everybody loved Claudette. She was always up for adventure, adored being with friends and family, but could work a room full of strangers better than the best politician. She would often say that she never knew a stranger and she was the most welcoming, compassionate, and inclusive person around.

She never said no to a dance or a long talk with anyone - whether they wanted to or not. In the past few years, she became a fan of watching football and basketball, often making $5 bets with her brother Arthur. Her gambling continued with intense cribbage matches with her friend Kay and son Dan - often with dozens of pennies at stake.

Family meant the world to Claudette, and she treasured any time she could spend with her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. She always thought the holidays were wonderful, and she would spend 11 out of 12 months each year thinking about, shopping for, and buying unique presents for each child and grandchild.

In addition to her parents, Claudette is preceded in death by her sons Jeffrey and Bruce Brown. She is survived by her brothers Arthur (Carol) Montana and Lionel (Gail) Montana, and many nieces and nephews. Her legacy will be carried on by her children Dan (Syndi) LeVasseur, Deborah (Ray) Sheridan, Alan (Scott) Brown, David Brown, and Eric (Kathleen) Brown. Affectionately known as "Memere" to her grandchildren, she was so proud of Corey, Alex, Nicholas, Gunnar, Annika, Stella, Hazel, Tyson, and Holton; great-grandchildren Damon, Alahna, Trenton, Harper, Nori, Fletcher, and Jameson.

Claudette's family will receive friends from 9:30-11 AM Friday, May 21 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church 3730 Broadway, Grove City where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM. Rev. Fr. Jim Colopy celebrant. In the spirit of continuing to eulogize Claudette, family and friends are invited to gather in the Life Center at Our Lady immediately following the Mass to share memories and stories of Claudette. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Claudette's memory to Common Pantry www.commonpantry.org, Stolen Youth www.stolenyouth.org , Asia's Hope www.asiashope.org , or Friends of the Library www.swpl.org. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Claudette. Arrangements entrusted to Schoedinger Grove City.