SOUTH THOMASTON – Elsie M. Brown, 92, died peacefully, Thursday, April 26, 2018, at the Cushing Homestead where she resided the past several months.

Born in South Thomaston, July 23, 1925, she was the daughter of Amos F. and Frances R. Mears Norton.  Elsie was proud to be part of the Norton family, one of the oldest families in South Thomaston.

She was educated in local schools and was a graduate of Rockland High School class of 1944.

Her first employment after graduating high school, was with First National Bank in Rockland.

On September 10, 1944, she married Willard A. Brown at South Thomaston.  In conjunction with her husband’s military service, the couple lived in Harlingen, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

Upon returning home from Colorado, Elsie agreed to fill in for a girl who was taking a two-week vacation from van Baalens.   Elsie retired from that job 55 years later in 2001, as office manager of that company, which at that time was operating as NAUTICA. 

Throughout her career, Elsie served in a support capacity for her husband, Bill, in his rental business and his municipal service with the Town of South Thomaston.

Elsie and Bill often traveled to visit service pals in Idaho, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Texas.  For many years, they enjoyed close friendships with these veteran buddies.

Elsie was a dedicated member of the Grass Roots Club of the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota, and made ten trips to that edifice over the years.  She also enjoyed collecting antiques.

She was the eldest member of Peoples United Methodist Church, South Thomaston.  

In earlier years, she often sang at Order of the Eastern Star and Masonic installation services.  Elsie was a devoted neighbor and friend to many.   She was always busy baking for school, community and church events.  She was a devoted member of the RHS Class of 1944 Alumni, a member of the Village Cemetery Committee, Wessaweskeag Grange, Wessaweskeag Historical Society, Rockland Elks Emblem Club, Ivy Chapter Order of the Eastern Star in Warren and Wessaweskeag Historical Society.  

Besides her parents and her husband Willard A. Brown, Elsie was pre-deceased by a sister, Evelyn Joyce Norton Teel; a grandchild, Casandra Brown; and a niece, Darla Ilvonen.  She is survived by one son Wayne Brown and his wife Carol of South Thomaston; one granddaughter Melisa Annah Paquin and her husband Jaycob of Manchester, NH; two great-grandsons, Jayden Paquin and Jayce Paquin, as well as several great nieces and great nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m, Monday, May 7, 2018 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.  Rev. Michelle Wiley will officiate.   Interment will be in the Village Cemetery, South Thomaston.   While flowers are welcome, memorial donations may be made to the Crazy Horse Memorial, 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD 57730-8900, or on-line at memorial@crazyhorse.org. To share a memory or story with Elsie’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.