Irene Brown

Cumberland - Irene Liberty Brown, 91, of Cumberland, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2015 at Sedgewood Commons in Falmouth. She was born in North Yarmouth on July 1, 1924, the 17th of 18 children of Maria (Fortier) and Alfred Liberty. She graduated from Greely Institute in 1943.

Irene married Robert Brown, of Cumberland in October 1943. She embraced life on Bob's family dairy farm, where she rose to the challenge of raising her three children, gardening, canning, and could often be found on tractors helping out on the farm.

Irene was a member of the Cumberland/ Falmouth Health Council for many years and was a communicant of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yarmouth.

Irene also enjoyed a lifelong love of sports and was known to be a competitive basketball player in high school. She fully enjoyed playing in the alumni games with a focused determination reminiscent of her youth. This same spirit was demonstrated in her later years as a medalist in the Senior Olympics. She was often known to challenge her grandchildren to a game of basketball or a footrace. She enjoyed cross-country skiing into her 70s. She was her children's and grandchildren's greatest fan at sporting events during her lifetime.

She lived her life with compassion, caring and kindness for all. She possessed a deep, steadfast, religious faith and demonstrated incredible personal strength in the face of adversity. When their first son was born with severe disabilities from Cerebral Palsy, Irene and Bob faced this challenge, and cared for Ken at home for 56 years. Mom did this with grace and a level of love and dedication that was awe inspiring. Love of family was always the central focus of her life.

Irene was predeceased by Robert, her husband of 57 years, in 1999; her grandson Ronald Brown Jr. in 1972; and 17 brothers & sisters, including her younger sister Lillian, July 3rd, 2015.

Irene is survived by her son Kenneth of Portland; son Ron & wife Sally of Cumberland; daughter Karen Strattard & husband Bruce of North Yarmouth; grandchildren : Stuart (Keri) Brown & children: Jordan, Caleb, Julia, Claire Irene; Christine (Peter) Hein & children: Maddy, Abby, Cam, Eve, Lizzy; Brian Strattard, Lindsay Strattard & children: Alex, Brice, Callie, Aylana; Thomas (Erika ) Strattard & son Griffin; Joseph (Lindsay) Strattard & son Finley; as well as a very large extended family of nieces and nephews.

Irene's family would like to thank the staff at Sedgewood Commons and Life Choice Hospice for the loving and compassionate care of our mom.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 326 Main Street, Yarmouth on Thursday, September 3rd, 2015 at 11:00 AM followed by a reception at the home of Ron & Sally Brown, 197 Greely Road, Cumberland. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Irene’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with her family.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Irene’s memory to: Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074