HELEN ELIZABETH BROWN
1932 – 2023
Helen Elizabeth Brown was born on September 23, 1932, in Lone Pine, California to Lawrence and Dorothy Miller. She entered into Heaven on September 13, 2023, at her home in Modesto, surrounded by family and friends.
Helen grew up just outside of Keeler, California at the National Soda Products plant – known as NSP. She attended grades 1-6 at a one room schoolhouse in Keeler and went to junior high and high school in Lone Pine. As a child she was taught piano by her mother, and the two of them played in church and sometimes at NSP gatherings. She loved to swim at the Keeler pool and fish in local creeks and ponds.
Helen graduated in 1949 with a class of just twenty-six students. While attending high school, she played the saxophone with the orchestra and marching band. She also worked as a secretary for National Soda Products until its closing. At that time, the family moved to Lone Pine, where she went to work for a local doctor as a receptionist. During the Second World War, she volunteered as a “plane spotter” on a watchtower on the outskirts of town, for which she earned her wings. She was well liked and admired by her friends and coworkers.
While working at the doctor’s office, she met a newly discharged Navy serviceman, William Brown, who came in for a physical. After a whirlwind courtship of 3 months, they married on June 24, 1955, and were together for more than 68 years. Soon after their marriage they moved to Arroyo Grande and within a few years started a family. Son Jeffrey was born in 1957, followed by son Steven in 1959, daughter Lori in 1961 and son David in 1965. They were later blessed with five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Throughout the years, Helen worked for various companies as an administrative assistant and secretary. In the late 1970’s, Bill and Helen started Loan Trak Insurance Service, where she acted as Bill’s executive administrator for the remainder of her working years.
Helen is survived by her husband, Bill, as well as her brother Charles Miller (Jane), sons Jeff (Lori), Steve (Carrie), daughter Lori Benincasa (Gary) and son Dave (Tracie), along with all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helen will be deeply missed, but the assurance of seeing her again in Heaven provides incredible comfort to those she left behind.