Aleen Brumbelow

Aleen was born on October 16, 1930, in Plattsburgh, New York, the youngest child of Blanche Lorraine Rogers Edge and Sergeant David Thomas Edge. She was named after her mother’s sister, Aleen, and her mother’s dear friend, Mary. Her father served as a career enlisted officer in the United States Army, a veteran of two world wars, and his postings carried the family far from home. In 1941, while stationed in Hawaii, the Edge family witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor. Despite the upheaval of that time, Aleen’s years in the islands left her with treasured memories — she learned to dance the hula and grew especially fond of the Hawaiian song “Lovely Hula Hands,” whose melody stayed with her for the rest of her life. As a result of the war, her mother and siblings returned to the mainland and settled near her mother’s family in Rome, Georgia. There, Aleen grew up embracing new southern traditions while holding on to the ones that had shaped her childhood in upstate New York and the Hawaiian Islands.

In Rome, she attended McHenry High School, where she was active in the Beta Club, Glee Club, Future Homemakers of America, and Tri-Hi-Y. She also played basketball and was named “Most Athletic” in her senior year. It was there that she met the love of her life and husband of 65 years.

Her wide-ranging interests and energy carried into her adult life, where she was an active member of Xi Beta Rho, the Rome chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. Through her sorority, she formed lifelong friendships and enjoyed many memorable dinners, trips, celebrations, and special times with her sorority sisters. She loved to cook and entertain, hosting many parties and gatherings with family and friends and creating a warm and joyful social circle.

Aleen developed a love of poetry and literature in her early years that stayed with her throughout her life; she became a devoted collector of antique poetry books, as well as other antiques and collectibles. Most notably, she amassed a significant collection of “Blue Willow” dinnerware that is to this day used by her granddaughters on special occasions and holidays. It always recalls a warm memory of her love and appreciation of artistic beauty. In addition to working with General Electric for 28 years, she operated several antique booths, buying and selling the items she found so interesting.

Aleen is survived by her son, David Randall Brumbelow, and daughter-in-law, Lynn Payne Brumbelow, of Hagerstown, Maryland; her daughter, Sylvia Brumbelow Bernstein, and her partner, Michael Stephen Gaffney, of Atlanta, Georgia; and two granddaughters, Danielle Rachel Bernstein (Jason Maris) of Salem, Oregon, and Sarah Glenn Boman (Lars) of Atlanta, Georgia. She also leaves behind five great-granddaughters: Penelope Olson Edge Maris, Sylvie Jean Maris, Coco Inez Maris, Lilian Grace Boman, and Mae Lorraine Boman.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Compassus for their excellent care and compassion.

A memorial service will be announced at a future date.