Obituary: Rosalie Normagene Brown

Rosalie Normagene Brown, 88, passed away Saturday, January 6, 2018 at her home in Jackson, Michigan. She was born June 1, 1929 in Leslie, Michigan, daughter of William and May Belle (Hatch) Chesney. She graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1947.

On June 30, 1948 she married Robert Coleman Brown in the garden of his Stockbridge home. This year would mark their 70th anniversary. Rosalie is survived by her husband and their children: Sue (Russell John) Wagner of Gregory, MI; Donald (Margaret) Brown of Mason, MI; David (Judy) Brown of Tipton, MI; grandchildren: Noel (Paula) Wagner, Jocilyn Wagner, Samuel Wagner, Martin Brown, Phillip Brown, Brandy Brown and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter Deborah Brown of Kalamazoo.

As a full-time homemaker, Rosalie enjoyed cooking, gardening, crocheting, china painting and writing poetry. When her children were in 4-H, she taught outdoor cooking and entomology. She led many group outings, catching and mounting butterflies and bugs, even making the butterfly nets. Many of her students received the prized top State Show honors. As a past member of the Stockbridge First Presbyterian Church, she taught Sunday School for many years. She took great pride in her flower gardens and in the houses she and her husband restored in Kalamazoo.

While living in Kalamazoo, she volunteered at Bronson Hospital. After moving to Jackson about 15 years ago, her favorite pastimes included feeding and watching the birds and squirrels on her deck. About three years ago she befriended a wild stray cat feeding it, neutering and providing it with warm shelter and bed on her deck. The family, friends and animals of Rosalie will greatly miss her.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m.