Jeanne H. Brown

Jeanne H. Brown, 99, of Geneva passed away peacefully on Friday, February 23, 2018, at the Living Center at Geneva-North.

Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 8th, at the McGuigan and Bero Funeral Home, 45 High Street, Geneva, NY. Jeanne’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 9th, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 149 Genesee Street, Geneva, NY, with the Reverend James H. Adams officiating. Burial in the church columbarium will follow the service.

Jeanne was born on June 18, 1918, in Waterport, NY, the youngest child of Albert King Harrison and Genevieve Salisbury Harrison. She graduated from Waterport High School in 1935. Following completion of her business training at Ontario Business Institute of Geneva in 1936, Jeanne worked for Almarco Printing Company in Geneva.

Jeanne served in World War II with the U.S. Navy WAVES. While in the Navy, she furthered her business training by studying accounting at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She was then stationed in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she attained the rank of Petty Officer First Class.

Jeanne married Fay W. Brown, originally from Romulus, NY, on December 15, 1945, in New Orleans. They returned to Geneva following World War II, and she resumed working for Almarco Printing Company.

In March of 1958, Jeanne began what would become a 30+ year career with The Geneva Times (now the Finger Lakes Times), where she initially served as Circulation Bookkeeper. In February of 1964, Jeanne was promoted to Business Office Manager and worked in that capacity during the remainder of her tenure with the newspaper. Her professional affiliations included membership in the Institute of Newspaper Controllers and Finance Officers, an international press association for financial, accounting and business management.

Jeanne was elected to the Board of Directors of the Geneva Printing Company, publisher of The Geneva Times, in February of 1973. She later served as board secretary of the corporation from 1980-1988. Jeanne retired after more than 30 years with the company, when the newspaper was sold following the death of its Publisher, Samuel B. Williams.

Jeanne was an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for more than 60 years. She belonged to its Rankine Guild and volunteered with the church’s Neighbors’ Night Program during her retirement.

Jeanne was a member of Zonta International, an international service organization with the mission of advancing the status of women; the American Legion Post 396 of Geneva; as well as the Geneva Historical Society. She also devotedly supported numerous community organizations and charities.

In addition to her parents, Jeanne was predeceased by her husband of nearly 30 years, Fay W. Brown; and her siblings: Burton (Bernine) Harrison, Dorothy H. (Coral) DeCamp, and Ruth H. (Gordon) Avery.

Jeanne is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth G. Bishop of Geneva; her nephew, John H. (Gin) DeCamp of Forest Grove, Oregon; as well as many loyal friends; devoted caregivers; and her beloved dog, Ollie.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jeanne’s memory to one of her favorite charities: St. Peter’s Church; Geneva Center of Concern; the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva; the Geneva Community Lunch Program; the Geneva Historical Society; the Smith Center for the Arts; the Geneva Public Library; the Geneva Volunteer Fire Company; or a charity of one’s choice.

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