Miriam Brown

Miriam Eleanor Brown, was born on May 4, 1934, in Manchester Jamaica, and was the oldest of 14 children to the late Richard and Esmie Wright; five of which are pre-deceased. Miriam went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.

She spent all her early life in the hometown of her birth, Ellen Street, Manchester, and on the completion of her secondary education, journeyed to the capital city Kingston, to be with her Aunt and to pursue the better options for a young girl, which was more easily available.

Within a few years, she met and fell in love with her lifelong partner Eric Brown, whom she eventually married and had a son. Unfortunately, her husband passed away after 22 years of marriage and Miriam became a career widow, whom never remarried.

In the late 1950’s in answer to the call for persons in Commonwealth countries to come to England and aid in the rebuilding process after World War 2, her husband Eric took up the offer and left his wife and young son back in Kingston, with the promise to ensure that they would all be reunited pretty soon; as he was going to pave the way for his family. Within one year, Miriam, in gloves and hat, boarded a BOAC aeroplane, on her way to Britain to start a new life.

Miriam spent 10 years in England, where the highlight of that venture was the birth of her second child and only daughter Patricia. Although both of her children are named as if they are twins, this was just a mere coincidence as it was her father in law who was the architect of this ‘pun’ on names as her two children are really 12 years apart. She was the support structure to her husband while living in England and also caring for her young child. When the need arose and she sought employment, her time was spent in the manufacturing sector, producing consumer durables.

In 1970, the family had become wary of the life in England and was desperately homesick, so they made the decision to return to Jamaica, packed lock, stock and barrel, and boarded a ship home. But it wasn't too long as the itch to travel overseas kept Miriam’s mind and body busy, so in 1974, the family migrated to Detroit, Michigan. But heartfelt sorrow was soon to befall the family, as within 3 years her husband became ill and passed away. This was a desperate blow to Miriam for she was now a single mother caring for a 9 year old in a relatively new country. The memories and loss of her husband began to haunt her immediately so she decided to leave Detroit and ventured eastward to New Jersey, which she did within a year after Eric passed. NJ then became her home for the next 26 years.

Living in New Jersey saw the peak of her career and life with her daughter, as she watched Patricia bloom from Elementary School, through to graduating from College. She spent most of her working life in the Pharmaceutical sector as a Machine Operator with major corporations such as Warner Lambert, Pfizer, Schering Plough and Colgate. In the 90’s when there was a downturn in the Pharma industry and jobs began to dissipate, Miriam took her skills to Tiffany Corporation where she worked in Sales and Procurement, until her retirement. But there was a little irony in her retirement which was really hastened by the need as she saw fit, to be the caregiver for her handbag (Morgan). That extremely close relationship with her granddaughter, continued fervently every day in Morgan’s life, until her untimely passing. That bond has suffered a tremendous separation.

Miriam was a woman of God and a steadfast church member. She was full of faith, character and dignity. Her love was unconditional, not only for her family and friends but everyone with which she had to interact. She was an extremely generous person with a compassionate, warm and welcoming spirit. She was a first class cook who could also bake a Christmas cake with her eyes closed. She was constantly told that her Christmas cake could serve for any wedding cake. She really loved to entertain and her home was the southern headquarters for all of her family living in northern United States, Canada and England. She shall be sorely missed.

In addition to her parents and five of her siblings who have predeceased her, she leaves to cherish her memory, children Patrick (Junior) and Marguerite (Patricia); grand-children Gregory and Morgan; sisters Rhoda, Valerie, Carmel, Yvonne and Joan. Brothers Earle, Errol and Clarence. She’ll also be missed by a host of nieces and nephews, extended family and endearing friends. May her soul rest in peace.