Obituary of Judith Brown

Judith Simon Brown, age 85, died peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2014. Judy was born November 14, 1928, the youngest child of Rachel "Rae" and Bernard "Bernie" Simon. Born and raised in New York City, Judy graduated from Ethical Culture Fieldston School in 1945 and from New York University in 1949, the same year she and her husband, Dr. Edwin Brown (deceased 2007), were married. Judy continued her education by earning a master's degree in social work at University at Albany. Judy and Edwin raised five children in their home on Union Street in Schenectady, a place of family gathering and memories over the decades. They also loved to host extended family and friends at the Lake George house, where Judy would prepare delicious meals and go on long swims. Judy was a prolific artist and practitioner of Chinese watercolor painting, and she shared thousands of her original works as greeting cards and letters to friends and family. She is the author and curator of a rich family history that documents the stories and events of generations from 19th century Eastern Europe to the present day. Judy and Edwin were strong supporters of the Schenectady JCC, Congregation Gates of Heaven, Congregation Agudat Achim, Jewish Federation, Ellis Hospital, Union College, Capital Repertory Theatre, Empire State Youth Orchestra, Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, Schenectady Light Opera, and Civic Players. Judy was known in the community for her grace, generosity, and loving manner, her independence and determination, and the unending support she provided to many loved ones. She is survived by her children, Marci Jackson (Tony) of Longmeadow, Mass., Steven (Patty) of Loudonville, David (Joan) of Niskayuna, and Jeffrey (Jessica) of Marietta, Ga. Judy was blessed to have the company, love, and companionship of 11 grandchildren, Lena, Hannah, Jennie, Sarah, Jessie, Jayme, Ruth, Jeremy, Leo, Rosa, and Shira, one great-grandson, Simon, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Bernie and Rae Simon of Brooklyn; her brothers, Norman Simon of Middletown and Stanley Simon of Providence, R.I.; her sister, Selma Rapaport of Scarsdale; and her son, Alan Brown of Rexford. Services will be held at Congregation Agudat Achim, 2117 Union Street, Niskayuna, N.Y. on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 2 p.m. Interment will immediately follow the service at Agudat Achim Cemetery, Rotterdam. The Period of Mourning will be observed at the Brown residence, 2475 Hilltop Road, Niskayuna, NY 12309, on Tuesday following the funeral, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 7 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday at Agudat Achim at 6 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Agudat Achim, 2117 Union Street, Niskayuna, N.Y. 12309 or Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue, Niskayuna, N.Y. 12309