- Date Of Birth: April 29, 1924
- Date Of Death: March 13, 2018
- State: Colorado
Virginia Brown of Erie, Colorado passed away peacefully on March 13, 2018 at the age of 93 at her home surrounded by her family. Her husband Dean L. Brown, her oldest grandchild and two brothers preceded her in death. She was born in Elkhart, Kansas on April 29, 1924. She is survived by her two sisters, Juanita Hochhalter and Cheryl Six. She is also survived by her four children and their spouses, Loretta Vair, Larry and Margaret Brown, Sherian and Barry New, and Douglas and Jamie Brown, her 11 grandkids (Dean L. Brown III, Jerry Brown, Michael Vair, Karian Hayes, Brian New, Sean Vair, Jenee Sutter, Darin Brown, Bradley New, Linda Cardwell and Brent New) and her 22 great grand kids (Tommy Brown, Christopher Vair, Andrew Brown, Jerry Brown Jr., Scarlette Vair, Cole Hayes, Everett Vair, Eric Brown, Kadie Hayes, Ryan Brown, Trent New, Charlotte Brown, Ava Vair, Cade Sutter, Jack New, Bodie Brown, Caylee Sutter, Owen Cardwell, Leopold New, Lilly Vair, Luke New and Linda Brown’s expected child. Virginia was the matriarch of the Brown family and an inspiration to all who knew her. Virginia was the oldest of 5 kids to Arva and Gladys Stewart. Arva was spelled A R V A but was pronounced Arvy and the Ar-vy were the initials of Rosa Virginia Stewart. But she went by Virginia. Arva’s parent’s had settled in Elkhart. Virginia grew up during the dust bowls of middle America in the late 20s and 30s. Life was hard and there was no work and no money. Kids would wear bandannas to cover their mouths and noses when going to school due to the dust. They would throw their live chickens in the basement so they would not blow away. Life was so tough for the Stewart family and after they lost their property to taxes, they moved to Monte Vista Colorado to get out of the dust and into the mountains. Virginia went to junior high and part of high school in Monte Vista and that is where she met Dean, the love of her life. Arva brought Dean home one time and that is when they first met. He was about 19 and she was 15. Dean kidded Arva that he had a pretty young wife, but it was Virginia. At that time, Dean owned some coal trucks and hauled coal in the San Luis Valley. Life was better but still tough for Virginia and her family. However they heard of jobs in the Portland/Vancouver area and packed up and moved. Virginia went to her final year of high school in Vancouver. She played clarinet in the high school band. Her relationship with Dean did not miss a beat and they continued their relationship despite their separation.
