ESTHER MARY BROWN

BURLINGTON, N.C. — Esther Mary Brown (née Devlin), of Burlington, N.C., beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Nov. 12, 2025, surrounded by her family. Esther was born on July 2, 1931, in Staten Island, N.Y., daughter of James and Esther Devlin. She married Hank Brown on Oct. 29, 1955, and they moved to upstate New York in 1958, where they had six children.

Esther was employed by the Little Falls Hospital for more than 30 years, ending her career as the administrative assistant to the medical staff. She was very active in the Little Falls, N.Y., community for over five decades, serving as an officer and volunteer for several organizations, including the Little Falls and Herkimer County Historical Societies, the Little Falls Hospital Guild, the Women’s Christian Association, the Foothills Council of Girl Scouts and the St. Mary’s Rosary Society. Esther was also a Eucharistic Minister and delivered Holy Communion to homebound parishioners.

Her favorite hobbies included travel (all over the world), walking, reading, socializing with friends, and above all, doting on her grandchildren. She was an avid card player and especially enjoyed playing rummy with her children and grandchildren. Following her retirement, she and her husband Hank lived near their children in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, and North Carolina, including four years in Middlebury near her daughter Colleen at the Residence at Otter Creek, where she made a number of good friends.

She was predeceased by her son, Daniel, and her husband of 58 years, Hank. She is survived by her children Colleen Brown of Middlebury, Vt., Cathleen Muller, of Gainesville, Fla., Celeen Lawrence, of Graham, N.C., Tim Brown of Syracuse, N.Y., and Kevin Brown of Cedar Grove, N.J.; as well as 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

The family is grateful to Hospice Home in Burlington, N.C., where she spent her last days and received skillful and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation, in Esther’s honor, to the Alzheimer’s Association or a local hospice organization. ◊