Obituary for Ann Brown (Levin) Ann H. L. Brown (August 17, 1932 – July 14, 2018) Ann Brown – our wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother – passed away on July 14th at age 85. Ann was loved and admired by everyone she touched. Vibrant, generous, and playful with a quick wit and infectious laugh, Ann had the ability to put every person she met at ease.
Both intellectually and artistically gifted, she was a steady force and role model in her family and within her community, providing the steady, positive reinforcement that made achievement happen. Ann was born in 1932 in Philadelphia, PA to Leah (Comroe) and Louis Levin. From the beginning, what defined Ann was her adventurous spirit, deep compassion, and endless curiosity and creativity.
She earned her RN from Jewish Hospital (now the Albert Einstein Medical Center, Northern Division), and began work as a visiting nurse. In 1953, she met Leonard Brown, her intellectual match and the love of her life, whom she married just a few months later. After Len graduated from medical school, the couple was sent to the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota – the first of several U.S. Public Health Service and Coast Guard postings –where she provided nursing care and helped run the health clinic.
Moving next to Boston, Ann worked as a hospital nurse through her first pregnancy. During this time, she cared for a sailor from the Andrea Doria, which sank off the coast of Massachusetts in July 1956. This experience made a lasting impression on her life.
The growing family next landed in Staten Island, NY, then headed south to settle in the Atlanta area (Decatur, Marietta, and Sandy Springs). After devoting her energy to raising four children, Ann returned to school, first earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Oglethorpe University in 1977, then enrolling and becoming a member of the first Masters of Public Health graduating class at Emory University in 1979. Soon thereafter, she became a genetic counselor at Emory, and was elected to serve on the first board of the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.
Following a successful career counseling couples and publishing research, Ann retired, eventually moving with Len to settle in San Diego, CA. Over the years, Ann cultivated and sustained many treasured friendships. She also traveled the world with Len, but always found time to visit and host her children and grandchildren throughout the US.
She was also a devoted daughter to her own mother, who lived a long and amazing life. Ann is survived by her husband Leonard Brown of San Diego, CA; her children: Beth (Peter) Ornstein of Boulder, CO, Linda Brown (David Mahaffey) of Napa, CA, Richard Brown (Ellen) of Del Mar, CA, and Andrew Brown (Cheryl) of Huntsville, AL; and her grandchildren: Adam Ornstein, Joel Ornstein, Laurel Mahaffey, Alison Mahaffey (Quinlan), Benjamin Brown, Erika Brown, Jessica Brown, and Justin Lucas (Kimmy and son Henry). Ann was a strong supporter of innumerable charities, including Planned Parenthood and Hadassah.
To make a donation in her memory, please consider giving to one of these organizations or one of your choosing.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
