Meredith "Merry" Brown

Meredith Anne Halstead Brown was born August 12, 1943 to George and Virginia Halstead in Portland, OR and died peacefully on February 11, 2026 in Pompton Plains, NJ. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Charles Bruce Brown, daughters Heather Brown-Huston (Steve) and Laura Brown Coulam (Andrew), and son Andrew Brown (Laura). She also leaves behind her sister, Carla Sandberg, and eight grandchildren Julia and Harrison Huston; Owen, Will and Charlie Coulam; and Abigail, Finn and Neve Brown as well as many dear sisters- and brothers- in- law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Merry grew up around the country, following her father’s calls to Congregational churches in Chicago, IL; Everett, WA; Stoneham, MA; and finally in Gloucester, MA, where she met her future husband Charlie in her high school senior English class. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, she taught elementary school in Bellingham, MA; Bergenfield, NJ; and Haworth, NJ.

After marrying in 1969, Merry and Charlie raised their three children in Bedford, NY where she was an actively engaged mother and grandmother. She was a Mama Bear who fiercely defended her children and grandchildren, including famously “mugging the Easter Bunny” to make sure her young children got an Easter Egg. She loved to host family gatherings in Vermont (Okemo) and Cape Cod as well as at their home in Bedford. An enthusiastic shopper, the family benefited from her love of all things Target, Costco, and Oshkosh. Merry initiated a beloved annual holiday gingerbread house tradition for her eight grandchildren. Grandma’s house was where cousins became friends forever.

An active community volunteer during her almost 50 years in Bedford, Merry was a Girl Scout leader, member of the Mission Committee at Bedford Presbyterian Church, active in the Katonah Community Center, Hopp Ground Garden Club member, PTA co-president (spearheading a new playground at West Patent Elementary), and a long- time volunteer at the high school counseling center. Starting in the 1980s, Merry completed master’s degrees in Reading & Literacy and in School Counseling. Ultimately she became a high school guidance counselor at Fox Lane High School where she loved helping all students reach their full potential with a special passion for assisting first generation and undocumented students towards success.

Merry loved to photograph family gatherings and to spend time reading (especially mysteries). She was a life-long dog lover, especially for her many dachshunds who brought her great joy. Collections of cow and lighthouse figurines, Vera Bradley bags, and pins adorned Merry’s home. Her creativity shined as she enjoyed sewing Halloween costumes for her children and crocheting beautiful blankets. With her green thumb, she could nurture any houseplant including her amazing collection of orchids. Along with her sister Carla, Merry cared with love and tenderness for her aging parents. She had many good friends whom she cherished throughout her life and enjoyed receiving letters from them up until her death.

Merry and Charlie loved traveling together with their family including a summer-long National Park RV tour and a European cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with all 16 family members. Additional destinations included Alaska, Egypt, Turkey, China, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. She was a life long learner, reading widely about the areas she traveled to and sharing her learning with others. She also energetically served as a personal tour guide in and around NYC for countless visiting friends and family over the decades.

Merry exuded God’s love through her kindness, generosity, and enthusiasm for others. She was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be missed deeply but has planted seeds of love which will continue to blossom for generations to come. Her family wishes to thank the people who supported her dignity through her journey with Alzheimer’s disease including her home aides through Caring People and the entire exceptional staff at the Memory Care Unit of the Cedar Crest Senior Living Community.