Mrs. Gertrude V. Brown was born on July 1, 1917 in New York City to Nathaniel Williams and Helen Simmons. She attended J.H.S. 164, Textile H.S. and Pratt Institute. In her travels, she met and married John Brown. Two beautiful children resulted from this union, Jo-Anne and John. Gertrude enjoyed music, dancing, concerts and traveling the Caribbean and Europe.
After working various part-time positions, Gertrude was called by the United States Postal Service where she worked diligently for 30 years. She considered a good education extremely important and instilled a thirst for knowledge in her children. Her first-born, Jo-Anne, attended graduate school at the University of Chicago and John attended Queens Community College, eventually teaching a music business course at McNally and Smith College of Music.
In 1968 John Sr. passed away and in 2010, John Jr. passed away from cancer leaving Jo-Anne to care for her loving mother.
Mrs. Brown had a passion for children. Everyone’s child was welcome in Mrs. Brown’s home and found life at Mrs. Brown’s home enjoyable. John's classmates from the St. Catherine of Genoa class of 1963 will always fondly remember "Gravel" as they lovingly referred to Mrs. Brown, who provided a safe place for the children to flourish and congregate. Every Sunday there was a roast chicken, broccoli and rice on the stove before she left for work. And every Sunday John’s friends gathered to listen to old 45's and eat her delicious Sunday dinner.
Gertrude was patient, loving, kind and honest with all.
We salute you Gravel and thank her for lovely memories that were created in her home. We know that both John and "Big John" welcomed her this past Thursday as she quietly transitioned. Gertrude leaves to cherish her memories a daughter, Jo-Anne Brown, her step-son’s family and a host of extended family and friends.
Services will be held Friday, January 17th at Riverside Memorial Chapel located at 180 West 76th Street in New York City. Interment will occur immediately following the service at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.
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