Louise Brown

Louise Cofield Brown

Louise Cofield Brown, 94, of Oakland, CA, died peacefully at her home on July 15, 2015. She celebrated her birthday on July 1 with her family by her side. Her early years were spent on the East Coast, where she graduated from Smith College in 1941. Shortly afterward, Louise married William Newton Brown with whom she traveled to North and South America. Louise and Bill resided in Glendale, CA; a forest service camp on the slopes of Mt. Shasta CA; Woodstock, NY; Ithaca, NY; Madison, WI; Palo Alto, CA; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Recife Brazil; Washington, D.C.; San Francisco CA; Berkeley, CA and finally Oakland CA. Bill predeceased her after 53 years of marriage. Louise later wed Dr. Henry May, who predeceased her in 2012.

A woman of achievement, vision and excellence, Louise was a professional in all she pursued. Even in the early years she fought for what she thought right, campaigning against Senator McCarthy in Madison during the HUAC days. Her career in writing started when she moved to Rio with Bill so that he could become a writer. Bill moved on to other things, but she became a freelance writer for publications such as the Atlantic Monthly and Time Magazine. Writing was always at the heart of what she did, from putting together grant proposals to fundraising. She even combined it with her proficiency in Portuguese that she learned in Brazil to do something she loved, namely teach English to Brazilians.

As a volunteer, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Louise made a difference in the lives of many through her involvement in the ACLU, San Francisco Public Library and People's Park at U C Berkeley. She was also active in Alumnae Resources and Worldwide Institute of Disability.

Louise is survived by her six children (and spouses): Carl Williamson Brown, (Linda), Neil Fitzwilliam Brown, Catharine Edlin, Nina Harris (Daniel), Dennis Adam Brown (Florence Richmond), Nik Brown, nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren and a host of family and friends.

A Celebration of Louise Brown's Life will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 7:00 PM at Piedmont Gardens, 55 Linda, Oakland 94611. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Hospice of the East Bay.