Post by admin on Jul 11, 2007 5:42:59 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0711/Front_Page/018.html
Friends, family mourn passing of centenarian
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
Vivian "Bea" Brown
FREEHOLD - One of Freehold Borough's beloved centenarians died last week, leaving behind a host of people who will sorely miss her.
Vivian "Bea" Brown died July 1 at the age of 102. Her granddaughter, Sheryl Mott, called Vivian a "true gem."
"We have lost a very special Freehold Borough treasure," Mott said.
Mott and her sister, Cynthia Mott, both lived with Vivian in a house on First Street that their grandparents bought in 1957.
Mott said her grandmother became ill on May 22 and was hospitalized for weakness in her legs. She was eventually transferred to a rehabilitation facility and returned home about two weeks ago. Mott said her grandmother died at home July 1.
Vivian's death was announced at the July 2 Borough Council meeting by Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer.
Shutzer expressed her condolences to Mott, who is involved in numerous borough activities, and her family on the passing of a person Shutzer called a "perfectly delightful lady."
"I am so happy that I got to meet her, honored really. I remember how proud she was of Sheryl when I told her how much good work her granddaughter does for the town," Shutzer said.
Eva Sims, the mother of Councilman Jaye Sims, remembered Vivian as a "lovely person" who always tried to help anyone in need. Sims said their families were close to Vivian's son, Joe, his wife, Connie, and their children.
One of Vivian's grandchildren, Keith Brown, is the author of "Sacred Bond: Black Men and their Mothers." Brown was a 2006 inductee into the Freehold High School Hall of Fame.
Vivian was born on March 22, 1905, in Louisburg, N.C. She moved to Freehold Borough when she was 14. The longtime resident was a former member of the New Beginnings Agape Christian Center (formerly the Second Baptist Church) and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Vivian worked for the Monmouth County jail as a sergeant from 1963-73. Before that she worked at W.T. Grant, Freehold, and was employed by the Vanderveer family in Freehold.
Vivian spent a good deal of time crocheting, especially in her later years, making potholders, afghans and novelty items for friends and family. She also loved to collect antiques.
In an interview with the News Transcript on the occasion of her 100th birthday in 2005, Vivian said she learned the art of antiquing from Charles Vanderveer when she was in his employ. Vanderveer owned an antique shop in town and Vivian acquired a real taste for the hobby.
Vivian married Ernest Brown Sr. in 1924. He died in 1960. She was predeceased by six of her children, Leonard Brown, Ernest Brown, Lawrence Brown, Anne Mott, Harold Robert Brown and Patricia Brown. Surviving is her son Joseph R. Brown and her daughter-in-law Constance Brown, of Howell. She is also survived by her brother, Stewart Ruffin, of New York; her sister, Geraldine Williams, of Freehold Borough; 16 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren
Friends, family mourn passing of centenarian
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
Vivian "Bea" Brown
FREEHOLD - One of Freehold Borough's beloved centenarians died last week, leaving behind a host of people who will sorely miss her.
Vivian "Bea" Brown died July 1 at the age of 102. Her granddaughter, Sheryl Mott, called Vivian a "true gem."
"We have lost a very special Freehold Borough treasure," Mott said.
Mott and her sister, Cynthia Mott, both lived with Vivian in a house on First Street that their grandparents bought in 1957.
Mott said her grandmother became ill on May 22 and was hospitalized for weakness in her legs. She was eventually transferred to a rehabilitation facility and returned home about two weeks ago. Mott said her grandmother died at home July 1.
Vivian's death was announced at the July 2 Borough Council meeting by Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer.
Shutzer expressed her condolences to Mott, who is involved in numerous borough activities, and her family on the passing of a person Shutzer called a "perfectly delightful lady."
"I am so happy that I got to meet her, honored really. I remember how proud she was of Sheryl when I told her how much good work her granddaughter does for the town," Shutzer said.
Eva Sims, the mother of Councilman Jaye Sims, remembered Vivian as a "lovely person" who always tried to help anyone in need. Sims said their families were close to Vivian's son, Joe, his wife, Connie, and their children.
One of Vivian's grandchildren, Keith Brown, is the author of "Sacred Bond: Black Men and their Mothers." Brown was a 2006 inductee into the Freehold High School Hall of Fame.
Vivian was born on March 22, 1905, in Louisburg, N.C. She moved to Freehold Borough when she was 14. The longtime resident was a former member of the New Beginnings Agape Christian Center (formerly the Second Baptist Church) and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Vivian worked for the Monmouth County jail as a sergeant from 1963-73. Before that she worked at W.T. Grant, Freehold, and was employed by the Vanderveer family in Freehold.
Vivian spent a good deal of time crocheting, especially in her later years, making potholders, afghans and novelty items for friends and family. She also loved to collect antiques.
In an interview with the News Transcript on the occasion of her 100th birthday in 2005, Vivian said she learned the art of antiquing from Charles Vanderveer when she was in his employ. Vanderveer owned an antique shop in town and Vivian acquired a real taste for the hobby.
Vivian married Ernest Brown Sr. in 1924. He died in 1960. She was predeceased by six of her children, Leonard Brown, Ernest Brown, Lawrence Brown, Anne Mott, Harold Robert Brown and Patricia Brown. Surviving is her son Joseph R. Brown and her daughter-in-law Constance Brown, of Howell. She is also survived by her brother, Stewart Ruffin, of New York; her sister, Geraldine Williams, of Freehold Borough; 16 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren