Melda Marcella Brown

Melda Marcella Brown Of San Mateo, died peacefully in her sleep Thursday, September 23, 2010, at her residence. Born in San Francisco on April 7, 1919, to Earl and Anna Moore, Melda graduated from Polytechnic High School and San Francisco State College. She became a teacher, beginning her career by taking a position in the one-room schoolhouse of Wawona in 1940. A member for many years of Bethel Lutheran Church of San Francisco, Mrs. Brown became the first director of its Bethel Center for the Developmentally Disabled in 1973. She retired from a position in the Jefferson School District. Melda loved art, especially drawing. She often volunteered to make decorations, posters, or flower arrangements for organizations to which she belonged. A resident of Colma for nearly half a century, Melda was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, William R. Brown, in 1987. She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn Scherfen, and her husband, Michael, of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey and their two children, Erich and Anneliese; William R. Brown, Jr., and his wife, Mary Ann, of San Mateo, and their two children, Juliette and Timothy, two great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren. Congregant of the St. Andrews, Lutheran Church of San Mateo Friends may visit Between 5-8pm Tues., Sept. 28th at Garden Chapel, 885 El Camino Real, So.SF. Funeral services will also be at the Garden Chapel on Wednesday, Sept. 29th, 11am. Committal Woodlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bethel Center, 2557 Alemany Blvd., San Francisco, 94112, or a favorite charity. Garden Chapel Funeral Directors (650) 583-2510