Catherine R. Brown

Catherine Rosemond Brown (nee Taylor), daughter of Carrie Lee and Osman Taylor, surrendered her life to God on November 25, 2014 at the age of 95 years. Born November 14, 1919 and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, she was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Lucille Smith and brother, James Taylor. Catherine graduated from Douglass High School in 1939. She loved and sang in operas under the direction of Mr. Llewelyn Wilson. After graduation, she worked as a sales associate at the Beverly Shop on Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore City. In 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, George Grafton Brown, officiated by Reverend Douglas, pastor of Douglas Memorial Church. During World War II, Catherine was employed by Best & Company in New York City and later returned to Baltimore to work as a sales associate at Sears Roebuck & Company from which she retired in 1980 after 31 years of service. Catherine loved classical music and operas. It was not unusual for her and George to occasionally travel to performances at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. Because singing was one of her passions, she was a long time choir member of Our Lady of Lourdes and New All Saints Roman Catholic Church. She was able to combine her love for singing and traveling when she performed with New All Saints’ Touring Choir as they traveled to Italy and France on an international singing tour. Several of her hobbies included arts and crafts, cooking, and sewing. However, her favorite hobby was gardening. She enjoyed planting flowers and vegetables in the spring and summer months. The fruits of her labor were appreciated by family and friends. Her social activism was displayed through her many years of involvement with Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (B.U.I.L.D.). Through this association, Catherine became a volunteer librarian at the Child First Program at Calvin Rodwell Elementary School. In addition to promoting reading, she established the Carrie and Osman Taylor Award to recognize students who excelled at reading. Her participation in social activities was honored with citations from: Baltimore United in Leadership Development — Rose Butler Award New All Saints Church — Excellence in Music Award Our Lady of Lourdes Church — Sodality Woman of Year Award Baltimore United in Leadership Development — Certificate of Excellence Calvin Rodwell Elementary School — Child First Award P. Francis Murphy — Social Ministry Award Blessed by the Holy Spirit, Catherine leaves her loving and devoted husband George; son, Dean Brown; daughter, Jo- Ann Brown; granddaughter, Akiisha Dunmoodie; grandson, Carlos Dunmoodie, Jr. (Heather); great- grandson, Darren Dunmoodie; niece, Carolyn Carter; brother- in -law, Mordecai Brown; and a host of other family and friends. The journey Catherine traveled will be remembered and the tasks she performed will be rewarded by God whom she worshiped above all worldly life.

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Catherine R. Brown

November 14, 1919 - November 25, 2014