Marilyn “Anne” (Gifford) Brown, of Morral, passed away on Saturday morning, July 9, 2011, at her home surrounded by her loving family following a brief two week illness. She was 82 years old.
On March 18, 1929, Anne was born in Marion, Ohio, the daughter of the late C.E. “Pat” and Elizabeth (Lister) Gifford.
She graduated from Marion Harding High School in the Class of 1947, and later from Kent State University in 1951.
Shortly after graduating college, Anne married the man she often jokingly said she had met at the nursery at the Epworth United Methodist Church, David H. Brown, on August 24, 1951. Together they were both “farm and family focused”, and very active members of the community. They shared nearly fifty two wonderful years of marriage. He preceded her in death on July 30, 2003.
Very involved in the operation of their family farm, Maken Bacon Farm, Anne was in charge of their bookkeeping from 1951 until today.
A woman of faith, Anne was an active life long member of the Epworth United Methodist Church, where she had served on numerous committees. She was also a member of the Variety Club, and Wyandot County Farm Bureau.
Being her family’s biggest fan, she intently followed everything her children and grandchildren were involved in.
Anne and David enjoyed spending their summers at their condo on Lake Erie and their winters in Florida. Her grandchildren absolutely loved their weekends on the lake with grandma.
Anne had a loving and caring attitude. This endearing quality made her a “best friend to many”.
She will be dearly missed by her children: Tom (Susie) Brown of Morral, Randy (Chris) Brown of Nevada, Cindy (John) Aksel of Gahanna, Steve (Patty) Brown, and Bruce (Karen) Brown; thirteen grandchildren: Megan (Matt) Bond, Melissa Brown, Kyle (Veronica) Brown, Nate (Abigail) Brown, Gwen Brown, Keith & Mark Aksel, Lauren, Sean & Katelyn Brown, Danielle Shrider, Steffi & Sam Brown; one great grandchild, Kylee Brown; two sisters: Jackie Dwyer and Janet (Bob) Lucas; three sisters-in-law: Madeline Gifford, Jean Gifford, and Jan Brown; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Including her husband and parents, Anne was preceded in death by two brothers: Glenn and C.E. “Jr.” Gifford; and two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law: Warren Brown and George (Millie) Brown.
The Brown family will greet friends from 4 – 8 p.m. on Monday, July 11, 2011, at the Epworth United Methodist Church, 249 E. Center St., Marion. Services celebrating her life will also be held there on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Colleen Ogle officiating. Burial will follow in Grand Prairie Cemetery.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Anne’s family.
Rather than flowers, Anne would have preferred memorial contributions be given to either Epworth United Methodist Church, 249 E. Center St., Marion, Marion General Hospice, 278 Barks Rd. W., Marion, or to a fund being established in Anne’s honor at the Marion Community Foundation, 504 S. State St., Marion.
For those wishing to express their private condolences online to Anne’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
About Marion Online Obituaries
