Grace Lois Lorimer Brown

Devoted Mother, Grandmother,

And Christian

Grace Lois Lorimer Brown, 97, of Danbury, died December 3, around noon. “There was a slight, fairly undetectable tremor that shook the earth as one of its finest passed on. If you did not know her, you probably could not feel it, but the world does not give up women of her quality easily and without mourning,” said her family. She was born in Money Creek, Minn., June 25, 1912, the daughter of Mae and George Lorimer.

Three children survive her, including Lionel and his wife, Margareta, of Newtown; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, two sisters, her husband Lionel, and son David.

She met her husband, Lionel Franklin Sylvester Brown, at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. After a brief period of trying to get over that name, she realized that he truly was the love of her life and they were married on August 9, 1933. She spent the next 64 years supporting him in his ministry as pastor/teacher. She considered her three sons and one daughter her crowning achievement. Her six greatest loves were her God, her husband, and her four children.

Few people are able to live their faith as Mrs Brown did. She lived a life of humility and faith — never pretentious, always humble, and always forgiving. She possessed an uncanny ability to leave unpleasant experiences behind and focus on the good in every situation.

When she was present, there was always a sense of life, and a spirit of hope and joy that reverberated through to touch others. She had a keen sense of humor that only grew sharper as she aged.

If one were to try to identify a major weakness, it was her unwavering devotion to the Yankees. She was a probably a fan from the first day she could say “baseball,” and seldom missed a game.             

She once said that her and her husband’s greatest legacy would be “…for all our children to know and love the Lord and be assured of a place in heaven. What a glorious prospect!”

Mrs Brown died as she lived her life; with quiet dignity, no fear, and a joyous heart as she looked forward to reunion and meeting the God she so truly loved. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service for friends and family will be held at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown, on Sunday, December 20, at 2 pm.

The Newtown Bee        December 11, 2009