Estella Brown, age 100, beloved wife of the late James (Jim) Alexander Brown, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Valleyview Care Center surrounded by her family.

Estella was born on the family farm in the RM of Whitehead as the 7th child of William and Gertrude Williamson. She attended Roseland School for grades 1-8 completing grades 9 - 12 by correspondence. Estella was very proud of the fact that she walked 1/4 mile to school in the winter at 0630 to light the wood stove in the 1 room school. For this task the School Board paid her 50 cents/week!

Estella was very focused on her education and then moved to Brandon to live with her sister Laura to attend Business College. Upon completion she began working at the Brandon Sun, working her way up to Circulation Manager. It was during this time that she met her future husband Jim Brown while skating at the Cornwallis rink. She said "I had my eye on him so I pretended I needed help tying my skates. The rest was history!" She continued working for the Brandon Sun following their marriage until the birth of daughter Jean followed by son Jim Jr.

Jim and Estella were married November 3, 1945 and purchased a farm in the Roseland district where they lived together for 62 years until Jim's passing in February/07. Estella was always a hard worker and was known for her beautiful yard, vegetable and flower gardens and love of entertaining family and friends with her excellent cooking.

Estella was very active in the Roseland community. She was a member of the UCW of the Roseland United Church, sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. She was very proud of her table at the annual Roseland fowl supper, curled in several local bonspiels and most importantly was always there to drive Jean and Jim to their activities. She was very musical and played piano by ear. Her love of dancing often found her teaching someone to dance with the furniture pushed back, the old 78 records playing and lots of laughter.

After Jean went to school in Winnipeg and Jim was in high school Estella began working in Eaton's. She started in the catalogue department and retired as manager of the men's wear department. Following retirement she worked as a sitter with patients at the Brandon hospital.

Estella was predeceased by her husband Jim. As a kind and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Estella will be remembered by her daughter Jean Laing, granddaughter Kristen (Brian Breemersch), great granddaughters Britteny (David Sadler), Katrina, and Brooke and great grandson Kendrick Breemersch and grandson Rob Laing; son Jim Jr. (Donna Lee), grandson Jason (Lauren) Brown, great granddaughter Everly and great grandsons Macaulay and Oaklen Brown, granddaughter Jamie Brown (Nick Riglin) and great granddaughter Lily. Estella is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Estella was predeceased by her 9 siblings: John, Bill (Mary), Alice Drysdale (Cameron), Norman (Lorna), Laura Addison (Bill), Evelyn Ferguson (Hugh), Clarence (Gladys), Art (Marie) and Jim (Audrey). She was also predeceased by brothers-in-law Marshall and Allan (Florence) Brown.

The Celebration of Estella's life took place at Memories Chapel on June 27, 2023. Private interment took place at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were Rob Laing, Jason Brown, Bob Brown, Brian Williamson, Brian Breemersch and Kendrick Breemersch.

The family would like to thank the staff on the 3rd floor at Valleyview for their care of mom over the past 6 years, Memories Chapel and Rev. Doug Craig for your assistance at a difficult time and for the beautiful service and lunch.

Donations in memory of Estella may be made to Ronald McDonald House, 566 Bannantyne Ave. Winnipeg, Man. R3A 0G7 or a charity of one's choice.