Elizabeth (Betty) Hannah Brown

SCOTTSDALE – Elizabeth (Betty) Hannah Brown, 94, of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away on July 5, 2018. Elizabeth was born on November 23, 1923 in Phoenix, Arizona and her family later moved to Florence and Coolidge, Arizona.

In 1929, she began attending the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB), a residential school in Tucson. Deaf since birth, she learned both American Sign Language and English at ASDB, developing a close connection to the school and later to the wider Deaf community. She graduated from ASDB in 1944 and later that year in Phoenix married Carl Knowlton Brown who was her sweetheart from ASDB. Their marriage lasted 67 years until his death in 2011. Elizabeth and Carl were some of the founding members of the Phoenix Association of the Deaf. They also lived in Southern California for many years and in Idaho briefly before returning to the Phoenix area in 1974. Elizabeth worked for the aerospace industry in California and for Beckman Instruments in Scottsdale, though her primary vocation was as a homemaker and devoted mother.

She was preceded in death by her sister Ann, brother Paul, a son, Jack, and her husband, Carl.

She is survived by two sons, David (Doris) of Scottsdale, and Tom (Melanie) of Phoenix, four grandchildren, Jesse (Holly) Brown, Caitlin Brown, Lindsey Brown, and Holly Brown.

A memorial service were held at 7 PM, Thursday, July 12 in the Community Center of Apache ASL Trails,2428 E Apache Blvd, Tempe, AZ 85281. Pastor David Bailey officiated.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to ASDB to support student activities. Donations are tax deductible and can be brought to the Memorial Service or be mailed to ASDB, PO Box 88510,Tucson AZ 85754. The memo on the check should read “In honor of Elizabeth Hannah/ Brown - Donation for ASD Activities.”