JoAnn F. Brown, 88, of County Road 2B, passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Jones Memorial Hospital from complications of pancreatic cancer. She was born in Olean on June 2, 1934 the daughter of the late James and Inez (Cornelius) Marsh. On October 4, 1952 she married her husband of 70 years, Donald Brown, who survives.
JoAnn was a 1952 graduate from Andover Central Schools, where she was the valedictorian of her class. JoAnn had a full work history, her first job was at Newberry’s, then Bausch and Lomb, before moving on to the Olean Tile Plant. During her time as an Army wife, she discovered the beginning of her career as a home care worker, and then Foster Mother. She owned and operated, out of her own home, proprietary home “Brown’s Nursing Home” for 25 years. Beyond her career, she rode with Don to deliver Meals on Wheels for eight years. They were foster parents to many children, and while sometimes considered stoic, she was firm and fair to all. She was a longtime and faithful member of the Belmont First Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School, being member of both the Ladies Missionary Group and The XYZers.
In addition to her husband Donald, she is survived by: two sons, Philip (Annette) Brown and Daniel (Kara) Brown; five grandchildren, Stacy Brown, Michele Riera, Joshua (Nancy) Brown, Kenneth (Tara) Brown, and Xander Brown; 11 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Harvey Rose; daughter-in-law, Ann Cote; and brothers, David Marsh and Cort (Irma) Marsh. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by: son, Steven A. Brown; daughter, Rebecca M. Rose; grandson, Lance Corporal Donald S. Brown; and siblings, Barbara Wagner, Ila Ferne, and Robert Marsh.
Friends are invited to call on Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 1 – 3 PM at the First Baptist Church of Belmont. Her Memorial Service will follow at 3 with Erich Brooks presiding. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the: Meals on Wheels c/o Allegany County Office for the Aging, 6085 NY-19 North, Belmont, NY 14813; or the First Baptist Church of Belmont, 9 Willets Avenue, Belmont, NY 14813. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com
