Obituary of Rita M. Brown

Rita M. Brown of Fishkill entered into rest Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at Lawrence Hospital Center in Bronxville. She was 79. Daughter of the late Arthur and Alice Gingras Gagne, she was born on August 3, 1934 in Pittsfield, MA. She married Robert L. Brown on November 30, 1953 at Notre Dame Church in Pittsfield, MA. Mr. Brown preceded her in death passing on February 21, 2013. Mrs. Brown spent many years making a loving home for her husband and three children. In her spare time, she was a voracious reader. She was also active in several organizations. The organization she held dear was the Order of the Eastern Star where she was past grand matron. Survivors include her children, Stephen R. Brown and his wife, Joann of Eastchester, Leonard J. Brown of Omaha, Nebraska, and Linda L. Brown of North Salem; grandchildren, Gregory (Jennifer) Brown, Jessica (Jonathan) Silberlicht, Alicia Brown, Erick (Colleen) Brown, Daniel Brown and Andrew Brown; and great-grandchildren, Owen, Abigail and Julia. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Frederick Gagne. Family will receive friends on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow in Fishkill Rural Cemetery, Route 9 in Fishkill. Memorial donations may be made in Rita's name to the American Heart Association, 301 Manchester Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, www.heart.org or The W.H. Albery Society, P.O. Box 959, Oriskany, NY, 13424. For directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.