Joan Brown

Joan Elizabeth McGuire Brown, 83, of Clearwater, FL, went to be with the Lord on December 1, 2022 . She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on September 27, 1939. Joan moved with her mom at the age of 16 from Ohio to Belleair, Florida.

Joan graduated from University of Florida. She received her Masters Degree in Education from the University of South Florida. She was a distinguished math teacher. She married Charles “Charlie” J. Brown Jr. on May 22, 1964.

Joan found her passion teaching high school math education and taught throughout Pinellas County for a total of 30 years in the following schools: Countryside High School, Saint Cecelia Interparochial School, Largo Middle School, Safety Harbor Middle School, and Pinellas Park High School. She was an excellent teacher, devoting countless hours to tutoring struggling students and celebrating their successes. She loved everything math and continued to tutor students long after retiring. Former students still recognized her in the community and remembered her fondly.

She also had a passion for sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting. One of her more well-known sewing endeavors was a terry cloth towel for babies. If you were lucky enough to receive one of these towels, you have a beloved lifelong treasure on your hands. Each Christmas many friends and family pull out the handmade stockings that Joan knitted. She also enjoyed hosting and playing Bunco and Mexican Train—as well as singing—and collecting all things “Charlie Brown”. She loved musicals and plays; she looked forward to each season of the Eight O’Clock theater in Largo with friends.

Joan served in several ministries through her parish, Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, where she was an active member for over 55 years. She served as a Eucharistic Minister, an Associate Member of the Sisters of Notre Dame, and an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister to the sick and home bound. For many years, she counted the offertory at church each Monday. She also served her community by volunteering for many years at the voting polls during the elections.

Spending quality time with family and her many friends was always a huge highlight for her. Her sweet disposition, kind heart, and selfless spirit was witnessed by many people that considered her a friend. Joan was also a terrific southern cook. She was well known for many of her delicious recipes, which can be found sitting at the top of many people’s recipe books.

Some friends may not know that in Joan’s younger married life, she and Charlie kept many farm animals, such as horses, cows, pigs, and chickens. She also kept a small garden which was part of her daily life and periodically her recipes.

She is survived by her sister Carol Reinke, her daughter, Allison Brown Sisco (Gary Sisco), her son Gregory Brown (Theresa Brown) and grandson, Gabriel Hunter Brown, daughter, Heather Brown McClaren (Lt. Col. Mitch McClaren) and granddaughter, Morgan McClaren Vance (Brett Vance), (great granddaughter) Cecelia Vance, and granddaughters, Mariah McClaren and Macy McClaren.

She was predeceased by her parents, brother: William McGuire, husband: Charles “Charlie” Brown, and son: Chad Brown.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Joan’s life will be held on Wednesday, December 28th at 10:30 am at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church located at 2405 Philippe Pkwy, Safety Harbor, FL 34695.

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