Phyllis O. Brown

Died peacefully at age 91 on November 6, 2022, in Atlanta, GA. Resident of Greece, NY, for eighty-two years. Predeceased by husband, George John Brown, and parents Fred and Ellen Opitz. Survived by children Craig (Linda) Brown and Kimberly (Paul) Hummel, grandchildren Stephen (Kylie) Hummel, Matthew Hummel and James Hummel, and many cousins. Phyllis graduated from John Marshall High School and attended Brockport State Teachers College, reconnecting with classmates in later life. She worked in her early years at Eastman Kodak in the Naval Ordinance Division at the Camera Works Building, State Street, and at Quality Control at Ridge Road. Phyllis and John married October 18, 1952 and were the first couple to exchange vows in the new church building at Bethany Presbyterian. They purchased property in Greece a year later where they built a home at 1614 Stone Road and lived happily for over 43 years of marriage. Phyllis cared for her husband with endless devotion as he battled multiple sclerosis. She was a loving wife and homemaker, serving as a room mom and on the PTA at her children’s schools, as a den mother in Cub Scouts and a Brownie Leader, and supported her children in all their various activities.

Phyllis was a lifelong member of Bethany Presbyterian Church where she was active in Shipmates and the Women’s Association fellowship groups. She also belonged to the Presbyterian Women organization and volunteered at the Rochester Presbyterian Home. She stayed active in her later years by joining the Red Hat Society and support groups with other widows of veterans. She was a dedicated volunteer and docent at the Greece Historical Society and Museum for over twenty years and in 2004, received Congressional recognition for her outstanding and invaluable community service. She loved travelling, entertaining, and was a gourmet cooking enthusiast in addition to being a lover of antiques and doll collecting. Phyllis spent many happy hours making memories at the family cottage on Lake Ontario in Hamlin, and moved to Atlanta in 2013 to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Please join the family in remembering Phyllis at a memorial service on November 27, 2022 at 2PM at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 3000 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, NY 14616. Internment at Falls Cemetery in a private service for the family. Contributions in Phyllis’ memory can be made to the Greece Historical Society, Reference: Phyllis O. Brown, P.O. Box 16249, Rochester, NY 14626.