Christine M. "Pat" Brower

Christine “Pat” Brower, a longtime Kansas City resident, passed away on August 23, 2012. Pat was born July 2, 1919 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Arthur Leonard and Christine Taylor Mullergren. Her family moved to Kansas City when she was three. She attended Border Star Elementary School, Southwest High School (one year) and Barstow. During high school, Pat was active in sports, drama and journalism; writing for the Barstow newsletter. Upon graduation from Barstow, Pat attended Wellesley College for undergraduate work and then Northwestern University where she received a Masters Degree in Journalism. After college, Pat took a job at Aircraft Accessories in Kansas City to help the war effort. She continued her writing by contributing to the company newsletter. She also decided to take flying lessons from a Trans World Airlines pilot who gave lessons to supplement his income. Pat’s first solo flight from downtown Municipal Airport nearly ended the pilot’s career when Pat landed at the restricted military base in Fairfax by mistake. Instead of stopping to explain, she took off immediately to return to the downtown airport, chased by military aircraft who demanded an explanation. In spite of this awkward beginning, Pat married her instructor, Robert W. Brower, in 1943, and began a life together that took them around the world. Pat and Bob moved to New York to fly internationally. They moved to Cairo, Egypt in 1946 to join in TWA’s expansion around the world. Pat stayed active in sports and travelled extensively during this time. Playing golf in Cairo meant occasional unplayable lies when a cobra wandered onto the course. Son Pieter A. Brower joined the family in Cairo in 1950. With an expanded family and one on the way, Pat, Bob and Pete returned to Kansas City where son R. Bruce Brower was born in 1951. Pat was very busy with work, volunteer and family activities. As a lifelong member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, she served on the Altar Guild and as a Sunday school teacher. She volunteered for St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary. She was a travel agent for Voyageur Travel Agency. Pat enjoyed membership at Mission Hills Country Club where she played golf, tennis and loved to swim and walk. She was active in the Junior League of Kansas City. She was a member of the ‘81 Club of Kansas City, a group of women who "associated themselves together for the purpose of mental improvement and the pursuit of a systematized course of study" founded in 1881. She was an avid bridge player and member of an all women investment club, the Women’s Investment Group, known as The WIGS. Pat volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother, a room mother for Bruce and Pete and a PTA officer at Border Star. Pat was an AFS Sponsor and helped organize the first “Cook Shack” for the Pembroke Hill Clothesline Sale in 1968. Pat will be remembered as a gentle, bright and very social lady who put people at ease. She always had a smile and a twinkle in her eyes for everyone. Pat was a wonderful caring mother who always made her sons and their friends feel special. Bruce remembers Pat driving him and his friends to shoot fireworks on hot, dusty country roads and allowing his rock ‘n roll band to practice at the house. Pete remembers Sunday afternoon golf games with unlimited mulligans. The young boys were entertained by stories Pat created at bedtime, but would pretend to be asleep if she wanted to sing to them. Pat was also dearly loved by her six grandchildren who called her Noni. They remember swim parties at Mission Hills and chaotic Christmas Eve family dinners that showcased a Christmas tree with red balloons stuffed in its branches, like Pat’s parents used to have. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur L. and Christine T. Mullergren, and her husband, Robert W. Brower. Survivors are her two sons and their wives, Pieter A. Brower (Connie) and R. Bruce Brower (Sue); six grandchildren, Kim (Mark) Davidson, Megan (Brian) Gilges, Erin Brower, Lindsay (Sean) Healy, Reed Brower (fiancée Rachel DeShazo) and Christopher Brower; and two great-grandchildren, Finley Davidson and Sawyer Healy. The family suggests donations to St. Andrews Episcopal Church or the Heart of America chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The family wants to thank the Memory Care staff of Bickford Senior Living of Overland Park and Care Alternatives for their loving care and support. A private memorial service will be held at St Andrews Episcopal Church on Wednesday, August 29.