BOSTON -- Alice C. (Bell) Brown, 68, of New Bedford died unexpectedly Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at Brigham and Women's Hospital after a brief illness. She was the wife of Ralph Albion Brown.
Born in Johnstone, Scotland, the daughter of the late George and Martha (Macintosh) Bell, she came to this country as a child; she lived in Lynn.
Mrs. Brown was an office clerk at T.W. Rogers Co. in Lynn, then became a civilian employee at the 1st Coast Guard District in Boston, a clerk stenographer in the Engineering Division. Later, she became the military personnel clerk for the District Reserve Office, and was secretary to the reserve director and his assistant.
She graduated from Lynn Classical High School with honors in 1953. She received an associate's degree in commercial science from Boston University's College of Practical Arts and Science in 1957, where she was on the dean's list.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lynn and an avid Sunday school teacher. She was a member of the Men's Senior Bowling League of Boston. She also sang in the church choir and was a member of the daughters of Scotia. In New Bedford, she was an active member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, and was parish secretary to the pastor, the Rev. Michael Kundrat and the Rev. F. Richard Garland. She was a volunteer librarian and tutor at Thomas Rodman Elementary School. She was a former president of the New Bedford Chapter, Order of DeMolay Mothers Club.
She was a loving mother and devoted to her family. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed fishing, dancing, arts and crafts, and gardening. She was an avid shopper who volunteered to purchase gifts for those in need.
Survivors include her widower; a son, Gregory S. Brown of Lakeland, Fla.; two daughters, Heather A. Haines of Westport and Laurie M. Fiske of New Bedford; a sister, Ellen Johnson of New Hampshire; and seven grandchildren, Heidi, Trevor, Amanda, Robert III, Savannah, Haylee and Alec.
Her funeral will be held Wednesday Dec. 31, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Kempton Street and Rockdale Avenue in New Bedford. Burial will be in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
Arrangements are by the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., New Bedford