Irene G. Brown, 96, of S. 3rd Street, peacefully transitioned into eternal life on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at Harrisburg Hospital.

She was born in Mobile, AL, daughter of the late Estelle Taylor Williams and John Calhoun, a lifetime member of Second Baptist Church, where she served as the Church Mother and over the years served on the Ways and Means Committee, the Minnie Summerford Missionary, Flower, Hospitality, Queen Esther and Women's Ministries. In the community, Irene was a volunteer for Meals On Wheels and activities at B'Nai B'Rith, a member and Past Daughter Ruler of Unity Temple #61 I.B.P.O.E. of W., member of the Order of Galilean Fisherman, Past President and life member of American Legion Auxiliary Ephraim Slaughter Post #733, a member of the Widow and Widowers' Support Group of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, the Heinz-Menaker Center and Capital Presbyterian Senior Citizens' Groups and Blue Mountain Chapter of American Business Women Association and was actively involved with President Obama's Campaign Headquarters.

She retired from the Commonwealth of PA Department of Education and continued to live a passionate and love-filled life until the end. She was passionate about her love of God, family, family of the heart and traveling.

Irene was the widow of Jerome O. Brown, Sr. and was also preceded in death by her son, Jerome O. Brown, Jr.; her brother, John E. Williams, Sr. and her sister, Gertrude L. Allen and leaves to celebrate her life and legacy, her granddaughter, Arleen Brown; her sister, Selena B. Watson; her cousin John H. Gilchrist, Sr., all of Harrisburg; her six great grands; two great-great grands and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, families of the heart and friends across the country.

Her life will be celebrated Saturday, May 30th at 12 Noon in the Sanctuary of Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church, 2447 Green Street, with viewing at 9 a.m., Elk Services at 11 a.m. followed by viewing until Noon and burial in William Howard Day Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the Ministry of Comfort of Major H. Winfield Funeral Home, Steelton.

www.majorhwinfieldfuneralhome.com www.pennlive.com/obits

Published in Patriot-News on May 28, 2009.