Annette R. Brown

Annette R. (Koehn) Brown, 84, passed away on Sunday, Jan.24th. Annette was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in West Hempstead on Long Island. She spent much of her youth at their family summer home in Cragsmoor, NY where she met her future husband, David J. Brown. As newlyweds they moved to Nanuet, NY and raised their family for the next 14 years. Annette's passion was education and she graduated with a BA from the New York State College for Teachers in Albany (currently SUNY). She continued her education and obtained a Masters Degree at NYU and completed all course work toward her PhD at SUNY Albany. She found her professional niche in Mental Health, first as a Teacher, then Principal and finally the position of Director of Education at Rockland Psychiatric Center in Orangeburg, NY. In 1968 she accepted a promotion to the position of Associate Program Analyst for both Adult and Children and Youth services at OMH Central Office in Albany. This meant a family move from Nanuet to Delanson, NY where they lived for 20 years and lovingly restored a 100 year old Victorian home. Annette attempted retirement at age 55, but was lured back to work as a consultant on the development of a statewide data collection system for OMH. She also did frequent testing for Civil Service examinations. Even after true retirement she kept her mind active and busy by putting together a scholarly family history which she presented as gifts to much of her family. Annette was an active member of the American Association of University Women, the Alumni Association of SUNYA, and a member of Eastern Star. She enjoyed attending luncheons with the OMH retirees group. Annette was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, David J. Brown in 2008. She is survived by her son David Jr. and wife, Mary (Klayder) of Lawrence, KS; daughter Carolyn Towers and husband Gerald of Kirkville, NY; three grandchildren, Monica (Towers) Defrancisco, Elia Brown-Davis, Anthony Brown-Davis; and one great grandchild Justin Lee Ott. A service and internment will take place in the spring at the Saratoga National Cemetary. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Mt. Loretto Nursing Home, 302 Swart Hill Rd., Amsterdam, NY 12010; or to The Community Hospice of Amsterdam, 246 Manny's Corners Rd., Amsterdam, NY 12010.