Emma Jane “E.J.” Brown, 92, of Downingtown, passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Dunwoody Village.

Formerly of Chadds Ford, E.J. was the loving and devoted wife of Robert Brown, MD, for 63 years, until his passing in 2009.

E.J. was always a proud Jersey girl who was born in Millville, New Jersey to Martha and James Knowles, MD. She met and married “Bob” in Ocean City, New Jersey, where they spent many happy summers with their immediate and extended families.

E.J. served her country during World War II as a volunteer, running a USO with her mother, while her father and brother were overseas. She volunteered at Atlantic City Hospital aiding wounded servicemen, and was a “plane spotter” for the Jersey coast. She was a Charter member of The Women’s Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C.

After graduating high school, E.J. attended Cedar Crest Collage in Allentown, PA and Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA.

E.J. was a member of the Shekinah Chapter # 82 of the Order of the Eastern Star for 74 years. She was President of the Women’s Auxillary of Riddle Memorial Hospital, where Bob worked as a radiologist, for 10 years.

Always an artistic person, E.J. created doll houses, including making the furniture, for many years. She was a talented painter, using both oils and watercolors. She was an avid knitter, and she loved to crochet, do needlepoint, and make clothes. She was also, in her younger days, a dancer, performing ballet at the Ocean City Yacht Club, among other venues. She left a legacy of beauty for her family and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

E.J. is survived by three daughters: Susan Sonzogni, Laurie Brown-Cross (Charles H. III) and Robin J. Brown, four grandchildren : Whitney (William) Peak, Tyler Brown-Cross, Chad Cross and one great grandson, Jackson Peak. She was predeceased by one grandson, Christopher Sonzogni.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Washington Memorial Chapel, Route 23, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Valley Forge, PA 19481 at 11:00 AM.

Memorial contributions can be made in E.J.’s name to the American Stroke Association, www.strokeassociation.org.

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