Eleanor Clara Brown died peacefully surrounded by her loving children and family on Monday, April 15 in Morro Bay where she spent the past six years in assisted living. Prior to that she was a long-time resident of Baywood Park where she moved with her husband and youngest children in 1978.
Eleanor was born on December 6, 1924, and raised on a farm in Simi long before the suburban community of Simi Valley was incorporated. Eleanor was the second daughter of German immigrants (Fred and Eleanor Miller) who planted walnut and orange orchards, but she left the farm for the bright lights and beaches of Los Angeles after graduating high school. There she met a handsome young soldier in US Marines uniform who had just returned from combat duty in the South Pacific toward the end of World War II.
The war ended, fortunately, the following month and she was able to date James Howard Brown after his discharge. They married on January 31, 1948 and lived mainly in Los Angeles County until retiring to Baywood Park. In addition to raising six children with her husband, she worked as a secretary and dispatcher, and was proficient at the lost art of short-hand notation.
Eleanor Brown is survived by five children: Michael of Tucson, Gary (Donna) of Ventura, Thomas (Pamela) of Atascadero, Harold of Baywood Park, and Valerie Noronha (Austin) of Half Moon Bay; as well as four grandchildren, Jennifer Brown (Nick Zebio), and Alex, Ashley, and Emily Noronha; five step-grandchildren, Creath Burns, Erin Burns (Justin Kawal), Kristopher Parker (Michellene), Crystal Robb, and Wendy Soto (Jeffrey); and two great-grandchildren Emma and Faith Zebio. She is also survived by her older sister Coletta Hardebeck and descendants. Her death was preceded by those of her beloved husband Jim; their second-born son Stephen Brown of Santa Cruz; and her younger brother Fred Miller Jr (Annette) who leaves many descendants.
Masses will be held in her honor on May 19 and 20 at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Los Osos, followed by a graveside service at Los Osos Valley Cemetery and a family gathering at Morro Bay.
