Barbara R. Brown, 91, died peacefully on Thanksgiving, Nov. 22, 2018, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen with her daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Michael Sand, at her side. She was born in Aberdeen, Wash., on March 6, 1927, to George and Lucille Auld.
Barbara was raised in Aberdeen and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1945. On June 30, 1945, she married Bevan G. Brown at Camp Roberts, Calif., before Bevan left to serve in the Army. During his absence, she worked for her father-in-law at Brown’s Dry Cleaners in Aberdeen. She and Bevan purchased the business in 1949 and ran it until it was sold in 1979. In 1967, they also purchased a charter boat, the “Fury,” and operated it out of Salmon Charters in Westport. In 1972, they moved to Westport after designing and building a new home with a “Sunset” magazine back yard.
After selling the cleaners and charter fishing business, Barbara attended South Puget Sound Community College and went on to work for the State of Washington DSHS in Olympia for 10 years. During this time, she built a home in Lacey. She enjoyed her “yellow” rambler, growing cherry tomatoes in her back yard and walking at the Nisqually Nature Preserve.
Upon retiring in 1989, she desired to dedicate her life to helping her daughter, Cindy, and her five grandchildren. In 1991 she moved to Ocean Shores to be near them, investing her time and energy into their lives. In 1994 the Sand family moved to Hoquiam and she moved along with them. She enjoyed living in Hoquiam and could be seen every morning walking to the Post Office. She loved to play with her grandchildren, read to them, and attend their sporting events and music recitals. She had a giggly laugh that would make others laugh with her. She is remembered by her grandchildren as “making the best macaroni and cheese, ever.” She loved the outdoors, dancing, walking on the beach, vacationing at Lake Chelan, celebrating the holidays, and attending Copalis Community and Immanuel Baptist churches. The word that best describes her is “selfless.”
A series of fractures due to osteoporosis changed her life from being active with her grandchildren to dealing with chronic pain. She then had several strokes which continued to alter her health. After a recent major fall, she developed complications that she could not overcome.
Having proclaimed her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and being baptized as an outward showing, we know her home is in Heaven.
A special thank you to Riverside Memory Care, Westhaven Villa, Channel Point, and Pacific Care Center for their assistance and compassion in her needed 24/7 care. In addition, thank you to Dr. John Bausher her long-term primary care physician, Dr. May, Dr. Troeh, the Grays Harbor Community Hospital Emergency Room, third floor staff, and the Critical Care Unit doctors and staff.
Survivors include two daughters, Cindy Sand (Michael) of Hoquiam and Sheryl Crosby of Boise, Idaho, a brother, Don Wright (Marilyn) of Sun Lakes, Ariz. Her five grandchildren are Ryan Sand (LaToyia) of Lawton, Okla., Kate Thompson (Curtis) of Tenino, Wash., Nolan Sand (Jenny) of Peoria, Ariz., and Lauren Burgher (Aaron) and John Sand of Hoquiam, Wash.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, at the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam. Interment will follow at Fern Hill Cemetery in Aberdeen.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on-line register at www.colemanmortuary.net.
