Bibbits Strong Brown
Aug 27, 1924 - Jan 25, 2018
On the morning of January 25, 2018, Bibbits Strong Brown passed away peacefully in the Laurel Wing of The Stratford in San Mateo, California, following a brief hospital stay. Bibbits was 93 years old.
Bibbits was born in Tacoma, Washington on August 27,1924 and was the fourth of five children born to Charles and Margaret Strong. Bibbits grew up in Gravelly Lake and set her bright blue eyes on future husband Wayne when she was just 13 years old. She knew immediately that he was “the one”. High school sweethearts at Clover Park High School, Bibbits graduated in 1943, and went to college at the University of Oregon where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Bibbits married Wayne Brown on July 10, 1946 in Tacoma, Washington where they began their life together. In 1955, they purchased their first home in Atherton, California where they raised all four of their children.
Bibbits was regularly seen playing golf on Sunday mornings with her husband at Menlo Country Club. During winter months vacationing in the desert, she also played many rounds at The Club at Morningside in Rancho Mirage. A fan of the outdoors and spending time in nature, Bibbits also enjoyed skiing, hiking and painting watercolors of landscapes and blooms. She was a wealth of knowledge regarding plants and flowers and a challenging competitor when playing Bridge or Dominoes.
Bibbits loved traveling the world with her husband. Included in her favorite destinations were Egypt and Mexico. She loved the colors, the people, the food.
As well as being vivacious and displaying a high degree of enthusiasm, Bibbits’ friends remember her for wearing colorful clothing and always displaying a unique bright collection of wild “gloppy” jewelry. A wrist full of bangles, bright loud earrings, rings stacked on fingers, and decorative hair bands were her some of her most endearing qualities.
Bibbits was most proud of the lakefront Echo Lake cabin she and her husband built in 1982 with the help of all her children. Her happiest times were summers spent there with her husband, children, and grandchildren. It was in this slice of heaven where Bibbits would step outside with her husband under the vast sky of bright stars to have a “WASL moment”. Arm in arm, they’d take time to bask in the reality of their coined phrase “We are so lucky”.
In 2005 after residing in their Atherton residence for 50 years, Bibbits and Wayne moved to The Stratford in San Mateo. Bibbits was known for her bubbly personality and regular participation in outings, activities, clubs, committees and monthly events.
Bibbits was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Margaret Strong, sisters Peggy, and Catherine, brother Charles, her husband of almost 70 years, Wayne Brown, and two sons, Terrence and Nathan.
Bibbits is survived by her sister Jean Walkinshaw, daughter Melinda Norcott, son Gordon, son in law Robert Norcott, daughter in laws Nelly and Michele, grandchildren Lindsay Smalling (Grady), Hilary, Pauline, Christopher, Julie Hunt (Levi), Kelsey, and great-grandchildren Zadie and Laurel.
Special thanks, acknowledgment, and deep appreciation to Virginia Exmundo, RN for her dedication, superb caregiving and companionship to Bibbits for the past 12 years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bibbits’ honor to Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) or Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).
Several words sum up Bibbits and the full, vibrant life she lived for 93 years - adventurous, exuberant and passionate. But perhaps it is one of her most recent favorite phrases along with her utmost favorite that adds to her legacy and inspiration, “Carpe Diem” - Seize the Day. Bibbits certainly seized every one of hers. Additionally, we say WASL. We are so lucky. So lucky to have known and loved Bibbits Strong Brown.