Ruby Marie Brown

Ruby Marie Harrington Brown, our beloved Mom and Grandma, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2016 at the age of 96 in Orem, Utah. Ruby was born on July 14, 1920 in Moroni, Utah to Washburn Chipman Harrington and Rhoda Adele Christensen Harrington. Ruby spent most of the first 50 years of her life in American Fork. Her Chipman ancestors were among the pioneer settlers of American Fork, and her great-grandfather Harrington was the first mayor and the first bishop of American Fork. Her family also lived for a short time in Norwalk, CA, where Ruby graduated from high school. When they returned to American Fork in 1939, Ruby was selected as first attendant to the Poultry Days Queen (the precursor to Miss American Fork). She married Marvin Erwin Brown on Sept. 30, 1939, and they were later sealed in the Manti Temple. They were blessed with three sons and a daughter. In 1970, Ruby and Marvin moved to Richfield, Utah where they lived for the next 25 years until Marvin's death in 1995, after which Ruby moved to Puyallup, WA near her daughter's family. Shortly after her 90th birthday, she moved back to Utah where she spent her remaining years in the Summerfield Retirement Community.

Ruby was characterized by a gentle and sweet sociality, and attracted good friends wherever she went. She was a peacemaker, and an eternal optimist. An active member of the LDS Church, she served in many callings, including a number of years working with youth and directing road shows. She and Marvin were called to serve a Swedish Extraction Mission together. Ruby also served as a ward missionary in Puyallup, and touched many lives with her sweet and friendly demeanor.

Much of Ruby's life was devoted to serving others, including volunteer work at the state level with the PTA and American Cancer Society, and helping seniors prepare their tax returns for the IRS. She was also an enthusiastic lifelong learner, developing many talents and interests, such as sewing, traveling and family history.

Throughout her life Ruby had many interesting occupational roles including secretary at the Indian dormitory in Richfield; typing much of the "History of the Church" series at BYU Press, and owning a makeup counter at The Wight House in American Fork. In the 1950s, she and her husband owned and operated the Center Street Sweet Shop, where many AF high school students came for lunch. Her most-loved career, however, was that of mother and grandmother, and she leaves a legacy and example to her family of love, service, and kind understanding.

Ruby is survived by her children: Larry Brown of LaVerkin; Bruce (Susan) Brown of Provo, Jerry (Shannon) Brown of Ogden, Rebecca (Jerry) Hinckley of Lindon; 22 grandchildren, 84 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Marvin, her parents, and her siblings: Phil C Harrington, Roxie Harrington Myers, and Miriam Harrington Hunsaker.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Church located at 865 West 1000 North in Orem. There will be a viewing from 9:30-10:45 a.m. on Friday morning prior to the service. Interment will be in the American Fork Cemetery.