Irene Louise Brown

It is with profound sadness that we tell you of the peaceful passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, Irene Louise Brown of Hyde Park, New York on Saturday, February, 5, 2022. Mom was at her home and surrounded by her family. 

  Mom was born on January 19, 1928 to Catherine Kniffen Castle VanNosdall and William VanNosdall in Poughkeepsie, New York. She was the last of nine children to be born to her parents’ combined families. 

  Mom graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1946 and soon married Keith L. Brown on July 26, 1947. They were married for 59 years, just 3 months short of 60 years, when Dad passed away on April 30, 2007. They had previously lived in Poughkeepsie (town), Wappingers Falls, Vermont, and Hopewell Junction before finally settling in Hyde Park.

  Mom was employed at the Town Shop and Tilo in Poughkeepsie, but what she enjoyed most was being a wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was very proud of her Irish heritage. Mom was a perennial optimist. She loved taking care of her two granddaughters while they were young. She immensely loved dogs, decorating her home for every holiday, cooking meals, and doing Jumbo. 

  She had a sharp mind, and among other things, she knew from memory all of her family’s birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates. Always the lady, she loved to dress nicely everyday and was disappointed when she had to give up wearing high-heels after breaking her hip in 2012.

  Mom is survived by her loving daughter, Karen Hallock (Brent) of Hopewell Junction, New York and devoted son, Lawrence Brown, of Hyde Park. Also surviving are her adored grandchildren, Sara Futia (John) of Slingerlands, New York, Nicholas Brown (Amanda) of York, South Carolina, and Amanda Greco (Daniel) of Poughquag, New York.

  She was affectionately known as “Nanny Brown” by the loves of her life, her great-grandchildren,  Paul Futia, Anna Futia, Genevieve Greco, Sebastian Brown, and Gianna Brown. Numerous nieces and nephews survive as well. Mom will be forever missed by us all. 

  Mom was predeceased by her parents, husband, and sisters and brothers: Millward Van Nosdall, Margaret (Van Nosdall) Tinkleman,Willam Castle, Vernon Castle, Lillian (Castle) Jessen, Marie (Castle) Barnum, Harold (Van Nosdall), and Ruth (Van Nosdall) Minneto. 

  Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 10th from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Joseph J. Darrow, Sr. Funeral Home, 39 S. Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY. Masks are required. Services will be held at 12:30pm. Burial will be private.

Donations in Mom’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Hudson Valley Hospice 374 Violet Ave Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

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