Roxbury Twp. Mrs. Edith F. Brown died peacefully in her sleep on January 17, 2013. She was 96. She was born in Plainfield, NJ, on December 30, 1916 to Clinton F. Firstbrook and Bertha Spencer Firstbrook. She leaves behind her husband of 71 years, Charles A. Brown Jr., a son, Charles A. Brown III and his wife, Lisa, two grandsons, Eric of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Ryan and his wife, Christina of Roxbury, two great-grandchildren, Velouria and Myles, nieces, nephews, and their families. She was predeceased by her younger siblings Clinton F. Firstbrook Jr. and M. Ruth Lecher. Edith lived in Lower Berkshire Valley all of her life except for 3 years during WWII when she joined her officer husband in Martinsburg, W. Va. She was a member of the Lower Berkshire Valley United Methodist Church for 81 years and the church organist and Sunday School pianist for more than 50 years. She was a member and vice president of the United Methodist Women and was instrumental in writing the church history. Edith retired in 1973 after 33 years of teaching, having taught 1 year at the Kingsley School for Boys in Essex Fells, NJ, (where she meet her husband of 71years), 5 years in Chester, NJ and 27 years as a Kindergarten teacher at the North Dover Elementary School in Dover NJ. During her retirement she spent many years writing genealogy of her and her husbands families. She enjoyed nature walks, birdwatching, and gardening. Her favorite activity was spending time with her grand-and great grandchildren. She had a gentle nature and saw the good in everyone.

Edith was an active member of the Ferro Monte Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the National Daughters of the American Revolution, the Roxbury Historical Society, the Morris County, NJ, National Retired Educators, and the Audubon Society. Her family and church were the center of her life. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

 Friends may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com) on Sunday from 2-4 pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Sunday at 4 pm. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the Memorial Fund, Lower Berkshire Valley UMC, 294 Berkshire Valley Rd, Wharton, NJ 07885.