Janet Shue Browne

Janet Shue Browne of San Luis Obispo, California passed away on Friday, April 21st at the age of 90. She was born on February 16, 1933, in Butte, Montana, the first daughter of George and Dorothy Shue. Janet spent her childhood in Montana, California, and Maryland as the family traveled according to George’s assignments as an engineering professor at the Montana School of Mines, the University of Southern California, and George Washington University.

She graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in 1951, where she was on the editorial staff of the school newspaper and in the Senior Play. She met her husband, Richard Browne, while a senior in high school and they married the Easter after she graduated in 1952. Janet worked as an office manager for General Electric while Dick finished his degree in Mechanical Engineering at George Washington University, and they moved to California soon after he graduated.

Janet and Dick’s two daughters were born in California and the family moved to Los Angeles while the girls were still small. Janet was a Girl Scout Leader for the girls’ troop; and was active in their church, Redondo First United Methodist Church. Jan was well known for her tailoring skills, making most of the girls’ clothes when they were small. She also enjoyed needlepoint and playing cards. After retirement, Dick and Jan enjoyed traveling, visiting Alaska, Montana, Canada, and many driving trips throughout California. Their biggest project during retirement was the building of their dream house in San Luis Obispo.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, George Shue and Dorothy Jemison Shue; her sisters, Roberta and Evelyn Shue; her husband Richard Browne, and her daughter Carole Browne Winklepleck; sons-in-law Jim Winklepleck and Steven Kerr. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Browne Kerr; and granddaughters Elizabeth Kerr Nielson (Michael), and Emily Kerr.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Ventura Townehouse for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to Woods Humane Society (woodshumanesociety.org) where she found her beloved cat, Beanie.