Eleanor Frances Brown

Newport, RI - Eleanor Frances Barker Brown, 90, of 35 Bull Street, Newport, passed away peacefully at Newport Hospital on Thursday, December 18, 2008 after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Clement W. Brown, owner of the Pelham Garage. Eleanor was born in Newport, the daughter of the late Benjamin B. and Ada E. Wilcox Barker. She grew up in Portsmouth RI and had lived in Newport since her marriage in 1946. Eleanor graduated from Rogers High School in 1936. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the University of Rhode Island in 1941 and worked for seven years as office manager of the Ships Service Department at the U.S. Naval Base in Newport. Later, she also worked as a bookkeeper for the Newport School Department for 12 years, retiring in 1980. Eleanor was a member of the Redwood Library, the Newport Historical Society, the Preservation Society of Newport County, Delta Zeta Sorority and the Bristol Colony Improvement Association at Prudence Island where she had a summer home. Eleanor is survived by her son, Clement W. Brown Jr. of Oakdale, CT, his wife, Diane Brown, a granddaughter Lonnie S. Maldonado of Newport and two great grandchildren. Eleanor was active throughout her life and had many close friends both in Newport and at Prudence Island. After retiring, she traveled frequently and enjoyed gardening and cooking. She was well known for her homemade blueberry muffins, chocolate chip cookies and applesauce which she shared with her many friends. Eleanor was a very unassuming person and respecting her wishes, there are no calling hours and the funeral service will be private. Burial will be in the churchyard at Saint Pauls Episcopal Church in Portsmouth RI at the convenience of the family.Donations in Eleanors memory may be made to Saint Pauls Episcopal Church, 2679 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.