Ragnhild Brown

Ragnhild “Rhinny” Marie (Bjornes) Brown, 97, of Simsbury, died Thursday, February, 14, 2013, at home, after a short illness, with Marianne, her long-time friend and care-giver at her side. She was very tired, took a nap, then gave her heart to those that had gone before her. What a wonderful day to join her family and friends! Born in New Rochelle, NY, daughter of the late Sverre and Sigrid (Swenson) Bjornes, she graduated from New Rochelle High School and worked at Arnold Constables after graduation. After raising her family, she worked at Allen’s Sporting Goods and Hearts Button & Trim. Besides her parents, Rhinny was predeceased by her husband, the only man she ever loved, Clinton C. Brown, Jr., her son Clinton C. Brown. III and his wife Bernadette (Shaw) Brown, her brother Harold and sisters Elsa and Hildur. She is survived by her daughter Patricia Sponzo and her husband Frank Sponzo Sr of Simsbury; her beloved granddaughter Kimberly (Brown) Sandora and her husband Jeff and her two great grandsons, Cody and Dylan of Wethersfield; and granddaughter Elizabeth Ann Brown of Mount Vernon, NY. She also leaves her nieces Virginia Stenroos and family of New Rochelle, NY, Diane Pace and family of the Bronx, NY, and Jean Kitay and family of Pelham, NY. Rhinny was a kind and gentle person, who loved being a wife, mother, grand, and great grandmother. She was a wonderful cook and loved gardening, reading, stamp collecting, bird watching, and crocheting. Her afghans and Christmas ornaments are cherished by those lucky to have received them. A VERY special thank you to her “angels on earth”, Marianne, Bogusia, Joan, Debbie, and Annie, for their devotion, love, compassion, and wonderful care and companionship. She loved them all. Her funeral service will be Tuesday, February 19, 2013, 10 am at the George T. Davis Funeral Home, 14 Lecount Place, New Rochelle, NY. Burial will follow in Beechwoods Cemetery followed by a luncheon for family and friends to celebrate her life, at Posto 22, 22 Division St., New Rochelle, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.