Betty Jean Brown passed away at home in the company of her family on March 11, 2022, after a brief bout with cancer. Born March 23, 1939, in Eureka to Lars and Eleanor Stromland, Betty attended Eureka City Schools and graduated EHS class of 1957. She received her Bachelor of Arts in teaching from Humboldt State College in 1961. Her first teaching job was at South Bay Elementary. Betty married Allen F. Brown in July 1961 and they had three children. She returned to teaching after her children entered school, teaching second grade at Lincoln Elementary (1970-1981) and Alice Birney (1981- 1995). After retiring in 1995 she continued to substitute teach and offer reading intervention at Washington Elementary.

Besides teaching, Betty considered her children and grandchildren her greatest joys in life. She had a tenderness for children and animals, taking in many neighborhood stray kitties. Betty was a lifelong, active member of The First Covenant Church of Eureka, where she sang in the choir. Her church family was very important to her. She maintained many long-term friendships with several of her high school and teacher friends with whom she enjoyed many gatherings. She also was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and The Retired Teachers Association.

Friends and family celebrated many holiday and birthday picnics at Betty’s childhood home in Cutten, “down back” in the redwoods, enjoying the best burgers and steaks on the wood-fired grill. Many of her second-grade students likely have fond memories of yearly picnics and treasure hunts there.

Betty is survived by her sister Lorene Wilson, daughter-in-law Kim Brown, daughters Michelle Smither and Margo Ridout (Ron), grandchildren Jessica Wilhelm (Thomas), Kyle Brown (Sarah), Matthew Brown (Meegen), Laura Rice (Nick), Alex and Mariah Smither, Samantha, Zachary, and Lilianna Ridout, and great-grandchildren Amelia Rice, Mason Brown, and Carter Brown. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their children.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Lars and Eleanor Stromland, parents-in-law Ralph and Winfred Brown, husband Allen Brown, son Mark Brown, son-in-law Dean Smither, brothers-in-law Howard Wilson and Melvin Brown, and sister-in-law Stella Claire Delaney.

Betty will be laid to rest at Oceanview Cemetery. Services to be held at The First Covenant Church on Friday, March 25, 2022 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Humboldt or your favorite charity.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Betty Brown’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.