Elaine Frances Brown

We want to celebrate the beautiful life of our mother Elaine Frances Brown. Elaine was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 15, 1937 to her proud parents, Raymond and Catherine Long. Elaine was a devoted daughter to her parents, dedicated sister to her siblings Curt, Gil and Noreen. Elaine was a loving wife to Marvin J. Brown, MD and a doting mother to her children Gary, Bert, Kelley, Karen and Gwenne. Elaine welcomed their spouses, Chris, Bud and Amy into the family and adored her five grandchildren, Jake, Dylan, Morgan, Brenna and Brayn.

Elaine came from a deeply proud, compassionate and close-knit family. She shared a unique relationship with each of her siblings Curt, Gil and Noreen. Elaine idolized her brothers Curt and Gil, who treated her like a princess and remained incredibly protective of her. Elaine and Noreen were as close as sisters could be. They were quite different women but their spirited banter was always done with love. At their core, they were sisters through and through and they would have done anything to support one another. Elaine loved her sister-in-law’s Dorothy and Lee. The unbreakable bond they created as young adults would continue throughout their lives. Elaine loved her brother-in-law John with all her heart and his Greek family became our family.

Elaine is the last family member of a great generation that began with the deep and undying love that Raymond and Catherine had for each other. Four unique and loving siblings, Elaine’s passing closes the chapter on the loving, strong, colorful, handsome Long family. Elaine is survived by a large extended family that continues to carry on the traditions instilled in all of us.

Elaine found true love, happiness and contentment when she married Marvin. Our family shared many happy memories at The Host Farm, trips to Florida and Europe. Elaine threw magnificent parties, from our birthday parties, Kelley’s weddings and who can forget Marvin’s spectacular 50th birthday bash. Elaine’s love language was truly acts of service. She took great joy in planning and celebrating milestone events for family and friends. Elaine had an ability for making everyone she loved feel special. Although Elaine and Marvin had a tumultuous relationship at times, their deep and profound love for each other would last for over 55 years, until their deaths.

Elaine found “her happy place” in Dennisport on Cape Cod. She shared her joy of the cape with everyone she knew, inviting everyone up to share the magical life she had found. These special, unforgettable times brought out the best in Elaine.

Life was filled with days at the beach, tours of the Kennedy compound, evenings filled with martinis, scrabble, lobster dinners on newspaper, dinners at the Chatham Bars Inn and photos in the “big chair”, Sushi at Inaho, playing Keno at Jake Rooney’s, evening walks to the Sundae School with her grandchildren to end the day with a sweet treat and who can forget Elaine’s “special scenic tours” to Provincetown, that would last for days. Elaine’s enthusiasm for life was contagious, indulging in her love for cooking and entertaining. Laughter, there was always so much laughter.

Marvin would always say, “Elaine had a special gift” and a natural flair for interior design, finding beauty in the world around. Grandma Daisy’s, was a labor of love started in honor of her beloved daughter, Karen. Truly, a family business we all worked tirelessly to bring Elaine’s vision to light.

Elaine poured herself into every detail of her shop, from the sign out front, elaborate and beautiful displays in every room, to the impatience she would plant in front of the shop every spring. Elaine’s perfectionism and attention to detail made those of us who worked with her crazy, but in the end, she was always right. Elaine knew what she wanted and did not stop until she got it. With the help of her beloved friend Joe Castle, an artist from Cleveland, her shop was filled with beauty at every turn.

Elaine’s’ creativity, passion and love for her family and friends guided her throughout her life. Although distance separated the family in later years, the imprint that Elaine’s spirit left on everyone she knew will be cherished forever. We will miss you.

Cheers Elaine, from all of us who loved you…

Elaine loved her dogs and was known to bring them home in her purse so Marvin would not notice. Her dogs would prove to be constant companions throughout her life. In honor of Elaine’s love for dogs and the integral role they play in helping people, please send donations in her honor to:

NEADS

World’s Class Service Dogs

P.O. Box 1100

Princeton, MA 01451

978.422.9064

https://neads.org/