|
Phyllis McCune Brown
Phyllis McCune Brown, 87, went to be with her Lord on January 11, 2012, from Elderwood Health Care in Waverly, NY, after a long illness and period of declining health. Mrs. Brown was the only child of Charles Bettinger McCune and Beatrice Jenks McCune, born May 4, 1924 in Watertown, NY. Both her parents predeceased her. Born in the great Depression, her early family values were faith, hard work, integrity and responsibility. She blessed our family with those values and more, throughout her life and illness, showing her strength and resiliency. The McCune family moved to Candor in 1938 when Charles McCune accepted the position of principal of Candor Schools. Beatrice was a teacher in various rural locations. Phyllis graduated from Candor High School in 1941 as Salutatorian of her class. She then attended Ryder College in Trenton, NJ, graduating Magna Cum Laude as Valedictorian of her class, completing four years of education in three years. At various times and while raising her family, she was employed by the Candor Glove Factory, GAF, the Village of Candor, IBM and Ithaca College. She retired from Wiggins Law Firm in Ithaca, NY. Most Important to Mrs. Brown were her family, home, church and community. Phyllis was a lifelong faithful member of McKendree United Methodist Church in Candor, serving on various committees and singing in the choir, and also a member of the United Methodist Women. She was a Charter Member and honorary Life Member of Arden Kelsey Unit #907 of the American Legion Auxiliary in Candor, helping to form the group in 1946. Mrs. Brown was also a member of the Sorosis Book Club and of the former Tuesday Evening Club. Her hobbies included knitting and crocheting, and her family has many beautiful handmade memories from her. In her retirement, Phyllis researched and compiled genealogies of the various branches of her family history, an enduring gift to future generations. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Brown was predeceased by her stepmother, Miriam Tompkins McCune. Surviving are her children, Raymond “Satch” Brown (Renee McCall), of Skaneateles, NY, Christine Brown, of Candor, and Linda Stanley, of Lyons, NE; three grandchildren: Patrick Carrier, Roger Brown and Melissa Brown; one great-granddaughter, Adrianna VanGalder; her stepsister, Susan Tompkins, Candor; stepbrother, John Tompkins, of Candor and their families survive; her former husband, Robert “Brownie” Brown, of Candor, also survives. The family extends their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the staff of Elderwood’s North Unit, who loved Phyllis unconditionally and treated her as their own family member. You all hold a special place in our hearts. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the McKendree United Methodist Church in Candor. Burial will follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Candor. The family will receive friends Tuesday, January 17, 2012 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, 137 Main Street, Candor. A Memorial service will be conducted by the American Legion Auxiliary at 6:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Phyllis Brown’s memory to the Candor Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 141, Candor, NY 13743. Condolences may be made to the family at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com “You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember her only that she is gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back. Or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.” David Harkins, British poet and painter
|
