Join us for the funeral of longtime parishioner Robert Brown, with a reception following. Here's what Mo. Storm wrote to the parish shortly after he died:
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I'm writing to let you know of the death last week of longtime St. James parishioner Bob Brown. His funeral and burial service will on Saturday, April 25 at 2 pm, followed by a reception in the Great Hall. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
For decades his name has popped up every fall when it's time to make a financial pledge for the following year. Bob was not a regular churchgoer, but nevertheless considered his connection (over decades) to St. James steadfast, and he expressed that in his faithful giving. For me, he's been more a voice over the phone than an in-person presence, but we've always enjoyed our occasional check-ins.
We did have more time together after his wife Ann died in 2020. We held her funeral here in the early days of Covid. When his kids and I met last week in my office, we recalled the odd logistics--hauling and then connecting two 100-foot extension cords to extend (I think?) the wifi so we could stream the burial to friends and family, learning how to maneuver the camera to capture the eulogies and burials, and so on. We appreciated the small blessing of getting to plan a proper in-person service this time.
In 2011, Bob and Ann buried one of their daughters, Leslie, at St. James. At that time they were able to have a funeral in the church and burial, with a reception. I'm assuming some of you reading this newsletter were there at that, and provided comfort to the family in that difficult time.
As it turns out, the Browns made quite a few inroads in the St. James and wider community. Bob and Ann even grew up together in this very parish! (Her maiden name was Butler.) They were both renowned tennis players, members of nearby Shenorock, Edgewood neighbors (in fact living directly behind parishioners Tracy and Marc McCarthy). He was a UVA graduate, another insitution he shares in common with several people at St. James, and to which he was avidly loyal.
If you knew them (and even if you didn't) and you'd like to send a card to his kids, email Shareda in the office and she'll gladly share their addresses with you.
Finally, on a light note, you can be sure Bob's kids and I had a good laugh over the family picture in the church directory (pictured in last week's email). We agreed there must be a law that says church directories may only capture families at their most awkward. :)
His family sent his obituary this week, which you can find at the link below. Meantime, do mark your calendars for April 25 if you're able to make it.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord, and let peace perpetual shine upon him. +