Submitted by: Dan Rich

Phyllis Franke Brown

May 17, 1916 - March 6, 1998

South Bend Tribune 3/12/1998

GRANGER - Phyllis Franke Brown, 81, of Timberland Drive, Granger, Ind., died shortly before sunrise on Friday morning, March 6, at the Holy Cross Care Facility in South Bend, Ind. She was born on May 17, 1916, to Henry E. and Frances (Frisbey) Franke, in Grand Rapids, Mich.

On June 28, 1943, in Grand Rapids, she married James W. Brown, who preceded her in death in 1995. Mrs. Brown was also preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Dorothy Franke Petrilli; and by three cousins.

She grew up in Grand Rapids and then attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. She received a BA in June 1938, and an MA in August 1939 in speech pathology and audiology. She worked as a speech clinician in the Grand Rapids public schools, The School City of South Bend and the South Bend Community School Corporation, retiring in 1968. Mrs. Brown was instrumental in developing the first program of speech and hearing services in the South Bend schools, started in the 1940s.

She was a longtime member of The First Presbyterian Church of South Bend and was a charter member of Presbyterian Players. She was a life member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association and of the Indiana Speech Language Hearing Association. She was active in the Southhold Restorations historic preservation organization, and she also contributed volunteer work as a tutor for the Literacy Council. In May 1996 Phyllis Brown was honored at a special awards ceremony, receiving an honorary recognition plaque from the Michiana Speech Language Hearing Association for her years of service to individuals with communications disorders. She is survived by a son, David M. of Mishawaka; a daughter, Judith Brown Richardson of LaPorte, Ind.; and by two nephews, three nieces, four great-nephews, four great-nieces and two cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, at Welsheimer's (North) Funeral Home. There will be visitation with the family from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday evening, March 20, and also for one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Cremation will take place and burial will be private, at Highland Cemetery. Mrs. Brown suggested that memorial contributions be made to the Hope Rescue Mission in South Bend; to the Redbud Community Retreat Camp, C/O The First Presbyterian Church of South Bend; to Pet Refuge, Inc., in Mishawaka; or to the charity of donor's choice.