Geraldine A. Brown

Hyannis - Geraldine Delberta Andrews Brown, 80, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, great aunt and friend, passed away with her children by her side on Sunday June 5, 2022 after a long illness.

Geri, as she was known to her loved ones, was born on September 23, 1941, the fifth of six children of Delbert Andrews and Clara Bray Andrews. As a little girl growing up in Gloucester, Massachusetts she enjoyed drawing, ice skating, playing in the woods in her backyard, and spending time with her siblings. She graduated from Gloucester High School, Class of 1959 and attended Salem State College before graduating from Salem Commercial School in 1962. She met the love of her life, Ronald “Ronnie” Brown, while singing in the choir of Trinity Congregational Church, where they were married in 1963.

The newlywed couple moved into a studio cottage in Hyannis when Ronnie was hired as the band director of Barnstable High School. Geri enjoyed chaperoning the band kids at football games and band trips. She began her own career working as secretary at Cape Cod Community College in the Admission Department. Shortly before the birth of their first child Ellen, Geri and Ronnie purchased the home where they would continue to live for the next fifty four years. Geri provided in-home daycare for children of other young parents in her and Ronnie’s social circle, which allowed her to stay at home with Ellen.

In 1972 Geri began a new career in retail working part time at Buttner's on Main Street in Hyannis. After their second child Matthew was born she continued to work and raise her family. Once Matthew was in school, Geri transitioned to full time at Buttner’s and worked her way from sales clerk to assistant manager. She developed close friendships with her co-workers and had fond memories of working during the busy Cape Cod summers and the festive holiday season until Buttner’s closed permanently.

While looking for another full time position, Geri became the evening chef for the Captain Eldridge House, preparing dinner for eighteen elderly and disabled residents, always welcoming the company of anyone who wanted to chat during her meal preparation time.

Geri took her retail experience to The Cape Codder Hotel in Hyannis where she became manager of the gift shop. Her talents for displays and decorations led management to request her help in consulting for other hotel gift shops in the company’s portfolio. Her last position before retirement was as the gift shop manager at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich. She loved her time there making new friends with her coworkers, helping visitors enjoy their vacations and witnessing many weddings and birthday celebrations.

In retirement Geri stayed active by working the polls on election day and became an Assistant Warden in the Town of Barnstable. She loved staying current on the news and politics and for her a Presidential election day was almost as exciting as a holiday.

The Federated Church of Hyannis was a major part of Geri and Ronnie’s life. They joined the church choir as soon as they moved to the Cape and faithfully served the church until the time of their deaths. Geri’s dedication was evident as a committee member, deacon, Lobster Roll Luncheon and Christmas Commons volunteer, and Church President. Most important were the friendships she and Ronnie made with their fellow parishioners who made the church another family to them.

Up until the day her Ronnie died Geri was a devoted wife, taking care of him throughout their marriage whether preparing his favorite dinner, planning a vacation, cheering on the Red Sox and Patriots, or caring for him through his illnesses.

Geri loved her son-in-law Elliot and adored her two grandsons, Joshua and Zachary. She cherished her time hosting sleepovers, attending school functions, visits to the Barnstable County Fair, celebrating birthdays, holidays, and a special trip to Disney World.

Her children couldn’t have asked for a more loving, generous and patient mother.

Geri is survived by her daughter Ellen Brown Kaplan and her husband Elliot A. Kaplan, her son Matthew A. Brown, her grandsons, Joshua R. Kaplan and Zachary D. Kaplan. She is also survived by her sisters, Marilyn Higgins and E. Bonnie Goodwin and her husband Kenneth, her brother-in-law Gilbert Brown and her cousin James Caverly. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.

Beside being predeceased by her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her brother and his wife John and Marie Andrews, her sisters and brothers in law Caroline and Milton Rodgers, Arlene and Robert Durkee, and her sister in law, Glenda Brown.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Federated Church Of Hyannis 320 Main St. Hyannis MA 02601 on Saturday July 30, 2022 at 1:00pm. Parking is available across the street in the lot behind the old TD Bank. Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend.

Interment will be private at the Cummiquid Cemetary in Barnstable.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes that donations be made to The Federated Church of Hyannis 320 Main St Hyannis MA 02601 for their Mission Fund or to the American Red Cross 286 South St. Hyannis MA 02601.