Ellen C Brown

With immense sadness we recognize the passing of Ellen C. Brown at age 95 on Friday, November 17, 2023 in San Francisco. Ellen was predeceased by her loving husband, C. Howard Brown in May of this year. Howard and Ellen were married nearly 57 years. Ellen was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Russell A. and Mary G. Crawford. The family later moved to Royal Oak, Michigan. Ellen earned her degree in music at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1951, and she was a proud alumna.

In her 20s, Ellen wanted an adventure, so she and three close friends traveled by road from Michigan to California and back. Inspired by this trip, in 1958 Ellen moved to San Francisco. She made her career in education, teaching elementary school in Mill Valley and subsequently at the Calvary Presbyterian Nursery School in San Francisco for a combined 36 years (with a break of a few years to raise her children).

Ellen enjoyed the outdoors, and in 1965 she met Howard while on a group hike on Mount Tamalpais. They were married the next year and made their home in the city. Trips to state and national parks in the Western U.S. became the foundation of many family vacations.

Ellen regularly attended the theater with Howard, particularly the American Conservatory Theater and the Lamplighters. In retirement they embarked on trips to Great Britain, France, Greenland, Iceland, and central Europe. They also returned to Alaska and favorite national parks.

Gardening was a lifelong source of pleasure for Ellen. Later in life she volunteered for many years at the San Francisco Botanical Garden Library. She enjoyed creating home cooked meals and valued the family’s time together around the dinner table each night. Ellen was talented at quilting, drawing, and other crafts. She loved playing the piano and listening to music.

Ellen is survived by her two children, David and Claudia Brown, daughter-in-law Kristin Burr, grandchildren Clara, Leila, and Meredith Burr Brown, nephews Michael, Mark, and Todd Crawford, and grand-niece Audra Crawford. She adored her family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Meals on Wheels San Francisco.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenstreetmortuary.com for the Brown family.