Melva M. Brown

Middletown, - Melva M. (McCann) Brown, 89, of Middletown, died Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Charlton Memorial Hospital, Fall River, MA. She was the wife of the late Francis Brown for 54 wonderful years, from 1946 until his death in 2000. Born on March 6, 1925, in Somerset, MA, she was the daughter of the late Thomas E. and Jane E. (Dagnall) McCann and the sister of the late Sarah M. McCann, Thomas E. McCann Jr. and Reita M. Dumas. In 1964, at age 39, she graduated from the Rhode Island School of Practical Nursing to help ensure that her children could fulfill their dream of a college education. She then began a 22-year career as an LPN at Newport Hospital, where she was known, affectionately, as "Brownie." From 1977-1979 Melva served as president of the Newport Branch of the Rhode Island LPN Association. After retiring from the Newport Hospital, she joined the Medical Personnel Pool and continued her career through home nursing care. Prior to her marriage and nursing career, Melva worked at the Torpedo Station in Newport. Melva was active in her community as a member of the PTA, a Girl Scout troop leader and a camp counselor at Rocky Farm Camp in Newport. She also spent many years as an Election Day poll worker in Middletown. She enjoyed helping others through her work with the soup kitchen at the United Baptist Church in Newport. During her lifetime, Melva enjoyed travel, which included multiple cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska, and trips to such places as Canada, California, Florida and many areas of the Southwest. However, most important to Melva was time spent with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her three children, Sharon L. Brown of Middletown, Catherine M. Wheeler (husband, Philip) of Clearwater, FL, and Steven F. Brown (wife, Patricia) of Winter Springs, FL. She was the grandmother of Kathleen Erin Pottinger, Jennifer A. Wheeler, Robert F. Wheeler, Adam T. Brown, Stewart T. Brown, Gregory J. Brown, and Bryan P. Brown, as well as the great grandmother of Elizabeth "Brynn" and Catherine L. "Katie" Pottinger, Ethan R., Jace G. and Marek J. Wheeler. She also leaves a niece, Kit Turano Laiho and nephew, Peter B. Turano.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the United Baptist Church, 30 Spring Street, Newport, RI. All family and friends are welcome. A private burial service will take place prior to the memorial.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Melva's memory to the United Baptist Church Restoration Fund, 30 Spring Street, Newport, Rhode Island 02840. Service SEP 27. 11:00 AM United Baptist Church 30 Spring Street Newport, RI, US