Obituary for Elaine A. Brown (Alexander)
Elaine Alexander Brown was born on January 30, 1926 to the late Francis Johnson Alexander and Henry Alexander in Cambridge, Massachusetts She attended schools in Cambridge, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin Coolidge College and a Masters of Law degree (LL.M.) in 1948 from The Portia School of Law, which at the time was the only law school in the country exclusively for women (known today as New England Law Boston. Known for her impeccable taste in all things, Elaine worked for several years as a junior buyer at Filene’s in Boston. She had an eye for well-designed clothing and accessories with classic lines that exuded he sense of style. On September 17, 1960, Elaine married William Alfred Brown of Newark, New Jersey. Five years later, they moved from New Jersey to Providence, Rhode Island where William entered a PhD program in Political Science at Brown University, receiving his PhD in 1969 and becoming the University’s first Black Associate Dean of Student Affairs that same year. Elaine became Head Librarian for Interlibrary loans at the Rockefeller Library at Brown University, eventually transferring to the Sciences Library where she retired from in in 1991. Interested in supporting the leadership development of young Black women, Elaine was no stranger to community service as a member of the 464 Club where she fundraised for Black women who wanted to go to college and as a leader in the Boston chapter of the Circle-lets. She was also a founding member of the Providence alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated for over 50 years.
Elaine studied with Providence-based artist Carolyn Simon Wolf for over 40 years, becoming quite an accomplished artist. Her skill with watercolor technique developed into what became her signature style of floral and landscape painting. She was a creative soul with a highly developed aesthetic sense who made everything she touched more
beautiful, whether it was wrapping a present or designing her living spaces as if architectural digest was coming for a photo shoot. She loved to travel, often with her beloved sister Carol Alexander, and was excited to experience other cultures through art and design, cuisine, and architecture. The places she was able to visit over the years included Japan, Italy, London, Canada, Hawaii, St. Johns and the Bahamas. An avid reader, Elaine was a member of the “Wednesday Evening Book Club” for 15 years. After over 40 years in her much loved and expertly decorated Halsey Street apartment on the East side of Providence, in 2022 Elaine moved to Tockwotton on the Waterfront, an assisted living facility in East Providence where she was well cared for until her passing.
Elaine leaves to mourn her passing her dear beloved sister, Carol Ann Alexander of Somerville, MA; her dear step daughter, Denise Michelle Brown of Philadelphia, PA; a god daughter Kyle Muse of Morristown, New Jersey; a god son Jonathan Turner of Brighton, MA; her closest cousin Richard J. Johnson of Chestnut Hill, MA along with numerous loving cousins, friends and well wishers. May the soul of our oldest and dear beloved family member, Elaine Alexander Brown, rest in eternal peace!
Visitation will be held at the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut St., Arlington, Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 10 AM to 11 AM. Followed by a service in the funeral home at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private.
Elaine studied with Providence-based artist Carolyn Simon Wolf for over 40 years, becoming quite an accomplished artist. Her skill with watercolor technique developed into what became her signature style of floral and landscape painting. She was a creative soul with a highly developed aesthetic sense who made everything she touched more
beautiful, whether it was wrapping a present or designing her living spaces as if architectural digest was coming for a photo shoot. She loved to travel, often with her beloved sister Carol Alexander, and was excited to experience other cultures through art and design, cuisine, and architecture. The places she was able to visit over the years included Japan, Italy, London, Canada, Hawaii, St. Johns and the Bahamas. An avid reader, Elaine was a member of the “Wednesday Evening Book Club” for 15 years. After over 40 years in her much loved and expertly decorated Halsey Street apartment on the East side of Providence, in 2022 Elaine moved to Tockwotton on the Waterfront, an assisted living facility in East Providence where she was well cared for until her passing.
Elaine leaves to mourn her passing her dear beloved sister, Carol Ann Alexander of Somerville, MA; her dear step daughter, Denise Michelle Brown of Philadelphia, PA; a god daughter Kyle Muse of Morristown, New Jersey; a god son Jonathan Turner of Brighton, MA; her closest cousin Richard J. Johnson of Chestnut Hill, MA along with numerous loving cousins, friends and well wishers. May the soul of our oldest and dear beloved family member, Elaine Alexander Brown, rest in eternal peace!
Visitation will be held at the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut St., Arlington, Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 10 AM to 11 AM. Followed by a service in the funeral home at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private.