Patricia H. Brown

Born October 25, 1927, in St. Louis, Missouri, to John B. Henderson and Florence Gates Henderson, Patricia was an only child. Her father died when she was just 5 years old because of gas exposure during WWI. She and her mother moved to Indiana to be close to family while her mother returned to school to earn a music teaching degree. Ultimately, they settled in Columbia City, IN, where her mother married Ralph Brockenhammer. She attended Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri and earned an A.A. degree. She then transferred to Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, where she met her future husband, Bill Brown. She graduated with a B.A. in early childhood education and taught preschoolers. Ultimately, she and her husband became business owners in various towns in Indiana. They had 3 children and all survived both parents: Janet Brown, Dan Brown and his wife, Tracie, daughter, Jennifer; David Brown, his wife Marcia, daughter, Morgan, and son, Gregory. She participated actively in many school functions, church activities and P.E.O. International.

Pat was a third generation P.E.O., who served the organization in many roles, including serving as Florida State Chapter President in 1992. Her daughter is a 4th generation member and served as Florida State President in 2023. Her daughter in law, Marcia is a member, as are both of her granddaughters (each 5th generation members). All are current members of P.E.O. Chapter BQ, Winter Park, FL. Both Morgan and Janet are also graduates of Cottey College.

She was an active member of Winter Park Presbyterian Church for many years. She and her husband moved to Florida when he changed careers, earning a Ph.D. in Sociology and ultimately becoming chair of the UCF Sociology Department. Pat served as a president of the UCF Faculty Spouses organization. Bill Brown died from complications of Alzheimer’s in 2006.

Pat was an avid tennis player until age 89 when her group decided they had “aged out” of the sport. While at Westminster Towers, she captained the golf putting team and played into her early 90s. She also served in many capacities within the resident governance structure. She was also in the bell choirs at church and Westminster.

A memorial service is scheduled for June 21 at 2 p.m. at Winter Park Presbyterian Church. Memorial Gifts may be sent to Cottey College (Mailing is Cottey College, Institutional Advancement Attn: William Brown Family Scholarship, 1000 W. Austin Blvd., Nevada, MO 64772). This scholarship assists young women studying in the leadership and communications fields. Another option is the Florida Cottey Committee P.E.O. (https://peoflorida.org/).