Obituary for Gladys Margaret Brown (Lillywhite)
Gladys Margaret Brown
Aug. 9, 1930 - Feb. 25, 2021
Gladys Margaret Brown (née Lillywhite) of West Hartford, CT, passed away peacefully, at the age of 90, on Thursday, February 25, 2021, with family by her side, at the Saint Mary Home.
“Margaret,” as she was known to all her friends, was predeceased by Richard Brown, her husband of sixty-two years, in May of 2020. She is survived by her son Geoffrey, daughter Angela Bennett, granddaughter Danielle Bennett, brother Derek Lillywhite of Toronto, Canada, along with nephew John Lillywhite and niece Catherine Dixon and her husband Chris. Margaret was also predeceased by her sister Joyce Pilbeam of England, and is survived there by nephew Alan Hagon and his wife Chris, niece Coral Key and her husband Paul, as well as many dear cousins.
Born on August 9,1930, to George Frederick Lillywhite and Gladys Beatrice Grist, in London, England, Margaret grew up during WWII, having experienced first-hand, along with her siblings, the air raids over London and surrounding towns. Watching London burn during The Blitz, from a nearby hilltop, left an indelible and lasting impression, as well as the countless nights spent in air raid shelters as war planes flew overhead, which she would count as they went by. Also at this time, her father served as one of the many volunteer fire fighters who helped to protect Britain during the war.
Those experiences would stay very close to her for the rest of her life, along with much fonder memories of life at home with her own mother preparing Christmas pudding, custard tarts and homemade bread when times allowed.
After the war, Margaret went on to pursue a career in nursing and midwifery, attending University College Hospital in London, Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, and Oxford University Hospitals.
Continuing her career as an RN, Margaret travelled to Toronto, Canada to work as an operating room nurse at Toronto Western Hospital. It was in this city that she would meet the love of her life, Richard L. Brown. Richard and Margaret would soon marry in July, 1958. Richard’s career as an aerospace engineer took them to the U.S., eventually landing in Phoenix, Arizona where Margaret also continued her nursing both in general practice and in the operating room.
In 1963, Richard’s career brought them to West Hartford, CT where they would happily spend the rest of their lives. It was here that Margaret worked as a volunteer for the Red Cross, and as a nurse for West Hartford schools. After raising her two children, Margaret went on to work in the offices of Dr. Michael T. Ergin, a Surgical Oncologist with Hartford Hospital, for nearly twenty years.
During their time in West Hartford, Margaret was deeply committed to St. James’s Episcopal Church, where she actively participated in The Women of St. James’s, sang in choir, and served on the Altar Guild for 15 years, serving as Director of the Guild for nearly half that time. She was also a member of the Widows Society,
volunteered with Loaves & Fishes Ministries, and lovingly served as a Girl Scouts Brownie troop leader.
Embracing the traditions passed down from her own mother, Margaret loved cooking and baking, hosting dinner parties, and enthusiastically preparing each year for the holidays. The familiar and heart-warming sights and scents of her Christmas and Thanksgiving meals, along with special treats for the occasion, will forever be a part of her family’s memories of her.
A lover of outdoor activities, Margaret embraced her passion for skiing, tennis and swimming, as well as a profound appreciation for the beauty of the picturesque New England fall foliage, sentiments of which she passed along to her children, and shared with her husband throughout much of their lives together. In retirement, Margaret and Richard shared their love of travel, exploring cities in Europe, the Middle East and numerous locations across North America.
Beyond her home in Connecticut, Margaret adored the time spent at the family summer cottage in Leith, Ontario. It was here that she developed many special and lasting friendships, and always felt safe and peaceful on the shores of Owen Sound, with its spectacular sunsets, endless starry skies, and wondrous Northern Lights.
Even on the coldest days, Margaret would insist on dipping into the water at least once, feeling that a daily swim, in the waters off Georgian Bay, was something that she could not, and should not, pass up.
Always a loving and caring mother to her two children, it was the arrival of her granddaughter, Danielle (who knew her as Nana) that brought the most joy to her life in her later years.
Margaret’s unending kindness and compassion was evident to all who knew her, and she endeared herself to many with her distinctly sweet, British accent.
Her family would like to provide a special thank you to the personal caregivers who provided both Margaret and Richard with love, care and support for many years while in their home, and would also like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Saint Mary Home in West Hartford, CT for the loving care provided during Margaret’s final months.
Due to the current pandemic, a date for a memorial service has not yet been set, but will ultimately take place at St. James’s Episcopal Church in West Hartford, CT.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made be to: St. James’s Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107. https://stjameswh.org/resources/ or The American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 https://www.stroke.org Online condolences may be made at:
https://www.sheehanhilbornbreen.com/obituaries
Aug. 9, 1930 - Feb. 25, 2021
Gladys Margaret Brown (née Lillywhite) of West Hartford, CT, passed away peacefully, at the age of 90, on Thursday, February 25, 2021, with family by her side, at the Saint Mary Home.
“Margaret,” as she was known to all her friends, was predeceased by Richard Brown, her husband of sixty-two years, in May of 2020. She is survived by her son Geoffrey, daughter Angela Bennett, granddaughter Danielle Bennett, brother Derek Lillywhite of Toronto, Canada, along with nephew John Lillywhite and niece Catherine Dixon and her husband Chris. Margaret was also predeceased by her sister Joyce Pilbeam of England, and is survived there by nephew Alan Hagon and his wife Chris, niece Coral Key and her husband Paul, as well as many dear cousins.
Born on August 9,1930, to George Frederick Lillywhite and Gladys Beatrice Grist, in London, England, Margaret grew up during WWII, having experienced first-hand, along with her siblings, the air raids over London and surrounding towns. Watching London burn during The Blitz, from a nearby hilltop, left an indelible and lasting impression, as well as the countless nights spent in air raid shelters as war planes flew overhead, which she would count as they went by. Also at this time, her father served as one of the many volunteer fire fighters who helped to protect Britain during the war.
Those experiences would stay very close to her for the rest of her life, along with much fonder memories of life at home with her own mother preparing Christmas pudding, custard tarts and homemade bread when times allowed.
After the war, Margaret went on to pursue a career in nursing and midwifery, attending University College Hospital in London, Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, and Oxford University Hospitals.
Continuing her career as an RN, Margaret travelled to Toronto, Canada to work as an operating room nurse at Toronto Western Hospital. It was in this city that she would meet the love of her life, Richard L. Brown. Richard and Margaret would soon marry in July, 1958. Richard’s career as an aerospace engineer took them to the U.S., eventually landing in Phoenix, Arizona where Margaret also continued her nursing both in general practice and in the operating room.
In 1963, Richard’s career brought them to West Hartford, CT where they would happily spend the rest of their lives. It was here that Margaret worked as a volunteer for the Red Cross, and as a nurse for West Hartford schools. After raising her two children, Margaret went on to work in the offices of Dr. Michael T. Ergin, a Surgical Oncologist with Hartford Hospital, for nearly twenty years.
During their time in West Hartford, Margaret was deeply committed to St. James’s Episcopal Church, where she actively participated in The Women of St. James’s, sang in choir, and served on the Altar Guild for 15 years, serving as Director of the Guild for nearly half that time. She was also a member of the Widows Society,
volunteered with Loaves & Fishes Ministries, and lovingly served as a Girl Scouts Brownie troop leader.
Embracing the traditions passed down from her own mother, Margaret loved cooking and baking, hosting dinner parties, and enthusiastically preparing each year for the holidays. The familiar and heart-warming sights and scents of her Christmas and Thanksgiving meals, along with special treats for the occasion, will forever be a part of her family’s memories of her.
A lover of outdoor activities, Margaret embraced her passion for skiing, tennis and swimming, as well as a profound appreciation for the beauty of the picturesque New England fall foliage, sentiments of which she passed along to her children, and shared with her husband throughout much of their lives together. In retirement, Margaret and Richard shared their love of travel, exploring cities in Europe, the Middle East and numerous locations across North America.
Beyond her home in Connecticut, Margaret adored the time spent at the family summer cottage in Leith, Ontario. It was here that she developed many special and lasting friendships, and always felt safe and peaceful on the shores of Owen Sound, with its spectacular sunsets, endless starry skies, and wondrous Northern Lights.
Even on the coldest days, Margaret would insist on dipping into the water at least once, feeling that a daily swim, in the waters off Georgian Bay, was something that she could not, and should not, pass up.
Always a loving and caring mother to her two children, it was the arrival of her granddaughter, Danielle (who knew her as Nana) that brought the most joy to her life in her later years.
Margaret’s unending kindness and compassion was evident to all who knew her, and she endeared herself to many with her distinctly sweet, British accent.
Her family would like to provide a special thank you to the personal caregivers who provided both Margaret and Richard with love, care and support for many years while in their home, and would also like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Saint Mary Home in West Hartford, CT for the loving care provided during Margaret’s final months.
Due to the current pandemic, a date for a memorial service has not yet been set, but will ultimately take place at St. James’s Episcopal Church in West Hartford, CT.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made be to: St. James’s Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107. https://stjameswh.org/resources/ or The American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 https://www.stroke.org Online condolences may be made at:
https://www.sheehanhilbornbreen.com/obituaries