Madge Eileen Brown, 85, of Marion

Madge Eileen Brown, 85, of Marion, Ohio, a member of the "Greatest Generation," passed away January 29, 2012, with her children at her bedside.

The title she was most proud of was “Mom.”  She was a kind, loving person who enjoyed life and having fun.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and left a smile on everyone’s face.  We’ll all miss her very much.

Madge was married to Kermit Brown.  The couple was married for 66 years before Kermit passed away on March 16, 2011.  At the time of her death, Madge resided at Sycamore Village, an assisted living facility located in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

Madge was born on February 20, 1926, in London, England.  She was raised during the Great Depression.  She told many stories about having to “make do” with very little.  She had many fond memories of her childhood with her older sister, Joan, and younger brother, David.

Her schooling was interrupted on September 3, 1939, when she, along with one and a half million other women and children, were evacuated from the large cities in England in an operation the British named “Pied Piper” in anticipation of German bombing raids.  Many of the children were evacuated to other countries not yet engaged in the war.  Others, like Madge and her brother, were sent to a village on the outskirts of London called Reigate.  Little did she know, at age 13, she would become a “Witness to History.”  The village of Reigate was located along one of the routes flown by German bombers enroute to bomb London.  She witnessed the “Battle of Britain.”  On a clear night, she could see London burning.

Later in the war, she and her brother were moved to relatives’ homes north of London.  Madge continued her education while the war progressed.

Madge met her future husband, Kermit, at a dance in a village near where Kermit was stationed in England during the war.  A romance developed and the two eventually were married in Redenhall Church, Norfolk, England.  A year later, their first child, Glynis, was born.

A few months later, at the end of the war in Europe, mother and child boarded a Liberty ship called “Zebulon B. Vance” bound for the States.  After arriving in New York City, they transferred to a train to go cross country to her new home in Jackson, OH.  There she worked for seven years with her husband on his father’s apple farm.

The family left the farm and eventually settled in Marion, OH.  Madge worked for Fahey Bank, where she managed the East Side Branch for many years.  She eventually retired from the bank.  She counted many of her co-workers and customers as her friends.

Madge loved the ladies in her English Club, fellow “War Brides,” and continued to visit with those remaining up until recent months. The term “War Bride” describes the foreign women who married American servicemen during World War II.  The survivors include Marion residents Muriel “Babe” McHugh, Bessie Borg and Rosalyne Rush and friend, Frank Quibell, a British war veteran.

Madge and Kermit’s special friends in Marion were Don and Jane Ferrell.

During her stay at Sycamore Village, Madge made many good friends.  They include Lucile Dunbar, Ann Baird, Jane Beach, Lois Feazel, Anneke Gianacakos, Betty Kraegel, Barbara Laurie, Eileen Neuman, Rosemary Schmidt, Helen Thompson and Marcie Lowell.  Many have spoken of her liveliness and good humor and how much they will miss her.

Madge loved to dance.  For many years, she participated in line dancing and performed at the Ohio State Fair.

Madge was preceded in death by her husband, Kermit, her parents, Wilfred and Rose Raymond Henshall, sister Joan Holman, brother-in-law Dick Holman, niece Noel Henshall and special friend and aunt, Irene Henshall.

She is survived by daughters Glynis (James) Tong of Quincy, MI and Janice (Dr. Kelly) Ferrell of Fort Wayne, IN; sons Gregory Brown (Phyllis) of Padre Island, TX and Raymond Brown (Laura) of El Paso, TX.  She is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Christine, Paul, Stephanie, Jeremy, Emily, Erin, Bryant, Shane, Caitlin, Regan, Casey and Keegan.  She is also survived by six great grandchildren: Gregory, Colin, Zach, Brian, Jenna and Michael and was joyfully anticipating the arrival of Erin’s baby.

Madge is also survived by her brother, David Henshall and wife Gloria, nieces Susan, Abigal and Ruthie, nephew Derick Holman and wife Margaret, brother-in-law, Roger Brown and wife Carolyn, sister-in-law, Edith Brown and many other nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Madge and Kermit's neighbors on Lawndale Drive, Winston & Janet Campbell, Larry & Penny Lathrop and William Jr. & Kathy Vance for their timely aid and assistance over the last few years.  In addition, we would also like to thank the staff at The Hearth at Sycamore Village and Hospice of Fort Wayne for their kind attention and care.

Visitation will be from 4-7p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at Denzer-Farison-Hottinger and Snyder Funeral Home.  Services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, February 2, at 11a.m.  Burial will immediately follow at the Marion Cemetery.

Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to have been chosen to serve Madge’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.