Joan Louise Brown

After a life rich in love, family, and purpose, Joan Brown passed away on

March 23, 2026, at the age of 101.

Joan was born in Canton, Ohio and spent her childhood in Martins Ferry,

Ohio and Charleston, West Virginia.

She enjoyed summers in her beloved McCutchenville, Ohio, with her

parents, cousins, and many other relatives. Those early years shaped her

into an individual with natural intelligence and considerable intellectual

curiosity.

Joan was double-promoted twice as a young student and graduated from

Martins Ferry High School in 1940, at age 15. She enrolled at The Ohio

State University in September, 1940, and graduated in June, 1944, at age

19, one of the youngest in her class. In the early 60s, she obtained her

Master’s Degree from Ball State University.

At Ohio State, she met her late husband, Robert Brown; they were married

in June, 1944. She remained an Ohio State Buckeye fan forever.

She and her family moved to Marion, Indiana, in 1959. Joan was a third-

grade teacher at Riverview Elementary School in Marion where she taught

for more than twenty years. She had a unique ability to reach out to

students and became a lifelong friend and correspondent to many. Always

ready with advice and encouragement, she was well appreciated and

admired by students and colleagues alike.

Retirement years were filled with friends and family, bridge, and travel.

Joan was an active member of her investment club, Hostess House, First

United Methodist Church, PEO sisterhood, and several other local

organizations.

The late Robert Brown was her devoted husband, friend, and bridge partner

for over 50 years. Joan enjoyed a long and loving marriage and was a

devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Survivors include Doug and Escha Brown, Troy, Michigan, Jenny and Tony

Maidenberg, Chicago, Illinois, grandchildren Molly (Rich)

Swersky, Westport, Connecticut, Micah Maidenberg, Brooklyn, New York,

Nancy Maidenberg (Yoel Stuart), Wilmette, Illinois, Colin Brown, Wheaton,

Illinois, and Trevor (Kathryn) Brown, South Lyon, Michigan.

She was a loving great grandmother to Vivian Swersky, Frannie Swersky,

Lev Stuart, Eli Stuart, Shoshana Stuart, Louis Brown, and Bliss Brown.

Joan is also survived by many nieces and nephews and her very special

friends, Janis Teal, Bonnie Western, Donna Ross, and Gayle Manwell.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Robert B. and Joan (Teal)

Brown Endowed Scholarship for Teachers, c/o Advancement, Indiana

Wesleyan University, 4201 S. Washington St., Marion, Indiana

46953.

There will be a private family burial in Caldwell, Ohio. The family will

receive friends on April 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hostess House, 723

W. 4th Street, Marion, a place Joan loved and supported. A celebration of a

life well lived will take place.

May her memory forever be a blessing.