Marilyn Arlene Brown

Cumberland - Marilyn A. MacLean Brown passed away Sunday August 7, 2016 to eternally dance with her beloved husband Ralph J. Brown.

Marilyn was born December 1, 1933 in Portland Maine, daughter of Walter D. and Arline Robbins Maclean. She was raised in South Portland, Maine, graduating from South Portland High School, the class of 1952.

Marilyn married Ralph J. Brown in 1957 and moved to his home in Cumberland Center. Marilyn has 5 children. Jeff, Stephen, Judy, Kevin and Pamela. Marilyn was very active with her children taking part in many school and community activities, such as the Scouts and teaching Sunday school.

Marilyn was employed by The Town of Cumberland as Deputy Town Clerk in the 70’s. Marilyn changed her career to join the medical secretary/administrative field. She started working for Dr.William Wyatt, D.O. Eventually retiring from Portland Cardiology in 1995 after 15 years of employment under Charles S. Hoag, D.O.

During the 1970’s Marilyn love for flowers brought her to become a member of several Garden Clubs, Cumberland Garden Club, the Longfellow Garden Club and Osawatha Garden Club, and The Garden Club Federation of Maine. Marilyn’s skill and love of gardening and flower arranging eventually led her to be an accredited amateur flower show judge. She won many ribbons for her floral designs, and especially enjoyed creating beautiful mass and wedding floral arrangements. When she was no longer a member of the garden Clubs, Marilyn went on creating wedding flowers for family and friends until 1990; but continued designing upon request.

Marilyn was a member of the Cumberland Congregational Church of Christ. She loved to sing and performed many solos while active in the Choir and upon Special requests for weddings and funerals. She was a member of “The Aim Hi Singers”, a Christian singing group in the 1960’s. She was a member of the Italian Heritage Center, singing in the Choral Group.

In her later years she loved to travel, making several trips to Florida visiting her son and daughter and grandchildren as well as many friends. Marilyn enjoyed spending lots of time playing Poker, Bridge and Mahjong with her friends. She was also a member of the bowling league.

She was a devoted mother and grandmother being very generous with her time toward her children and grandchildren and thoroughly enjoying every minute!

She was predeceased by her parents; Arlene and Walter MacLean; her father and mother-in law Paul and Joy Brown; her husband Ralph J. Brown, former Fire Chief of Cumberland, a son Kevin in 1962; brothers Walter D. Maclean Jr., and John Maclean, and a sister Eleanor Geracci. Brother in law Edward Bolduc and Ben Geracci.

Surviving are her four dear children and 6 grandchildren: Jeffrey P. Brown and his wife Stacy with two children Justin and Jacqueline of Boca Raton Florida; Stephen C. Brown with children Austin of Maine and Philip of Pennsylvania; Judith E. Sowards and her husband Jesse Sowards and their daughter Madison of Boca raton Florida, and Pamela Kelley and her husband Jim Kelley of Texas, and her daughters Alexis and Darby, and son Seamus.

Two brothers, Robert MacLean wife Gail of Portland; Ronald MacLean, wife Michelle of Woburn, Mass. Two sisters, Joanne Fulekey of Perrysburg, Ohio; Roberta Place of Westbrook. Five Sister in Laws: Mary Dunn, Fay Bolduc, Sandra White, Paula Brown, and Natalie MacLean. She is also survived by several wonderful nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held Saturday, August 13 at 11am at First Congregational Church 3 Gray Rd, North Yarmouth, ME 04097. Immediately following the services, a burial will take place at Moss Side Cemetery in Cumberland center. The family would like to invite friends and family to Toddy Brook Golf Course 925 Sligo Rd, North Yarmouth, ME 04097 for a light luncheon and continued fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations in Marilyn’s name to be made to Gosnell Hospice House 11 Hunnewell Rd. Scarborough, ME 04074

Arrangements under the care of Lindquist Funeral Home 1 Mayberry Lane Yarmouth, Maine 04096