Judith R. Browning

Judith Browning Obituary

"Well, if you're reading this then you've already guessed that I, Judith R. Browning of Honolulu, Hawaii, have passed on into the next dimension, at my own time and of my own free will. For this I am grateful. I want to thank all those stalwart advocates who fought successfully to pass the legislation that would give me and others the freedom to make a choice. My life has been filled with surprises. Who would have thought a girl from a tobacco farm in Connecticut would end up living in Hawaii, a place that existed only in my dreams. I was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1942. My family moved to Manchester, Connecticut from Poquonock, Connecticut in 1952 where I attended Hollister Elementary School. I graduated from Manchester High in 1960 and then from St. Joseph College in West Hartford Connecticut. I married Edmund J. Gorman and had a daughter, Sara Bryce who lives in Louisiana, both of whom survive me. I had careers in teaching, business, and moved to Hawaii in 1959. I had dreamed of living in Hawaii since I was a child watching Arthur Godfrey on TV, playing his ukulele in the surf in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. What a surprise it was to me when Edmund agreed to live there. I have had two more husbands, Louis McKeague of Hawaii & Dallas, and Frederick Browning of the world. Freddy was a man full of life and surprises. One minute I was in Bab Kissingin, Germany, the next minute I was in Tahiti. Freddy passed from prostate cancer in 2013. Cancer is a thief. It robs you of pleasures one by one. I lost a husband, then I lost an arm to paralysis. I could no longer cook or play the piano. I had always hoped that I would be able to choose when to leave this life, and as a final surprise to me, state legislation was finally passed. Just in time, period. I passed away on Saturday, May 30th, 2020 at sunset surrounded by good friends. Unfortunately, due to travel restrictions, my family, Bule, Linda, and Emily Grant could not come from Manchester, Connecticut. And so, I have come to the end of my story, sipping champagne by the surf at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. I have lived a full and happy life and I am grateful to be able to choose how and when it ends. "

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Published by Hartford Courant on Aug. 2, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Judith Browning

Sponsored by the family.

7 Entries

Manchester.... 1950 s

August 23, 2023

There are certain people in our lives we hold important in our hearts.....even though we don't see them for ages of time. It had been gnawing on me for quite a while down deep in my heart "I wonder where Judy Grant Gorman is today?" I couldn't find her anywhere as I did in the '80s....I was living in Hollywood where I had been on radio and television all my life. I remember calling her in Hawaii (I have no rremembrance as to how I found her phone number.) She was thrilled to hear from me and we talked and talked and talked for a long long time. We had so much in common but we just didn't see each other after 1960 ---I needed to repeat my senior year to get the needed credits for college. And wouldn't you know? I spent my last couple years in high school. working at Pinehurst Grocery....after school...working for a fine gentleman who later became her husband, Edmund Gorman! He was my boss...and a good friend. Judy seemed so happy when I talked to her in Hawaii and I just wish...we could have chatted again ....she and I played piano in school sometimes for this music teacher or that...or just for the class we were in. I remember what a great talent she was ...and is in my heart I today. Somehow I was just led to look deeper today, and thus go into the Hartford Courant. My heart hurts...I just feel so sad. Judy, I wish I could talk to you again. I loved your laugh. And how you could make such great music !!!
---Bill Turkington
([email protected])

Ann Hall Every

August 17, 2020

My friendship with Judith G. Browning began in 1997 when we met, by happenstance in a kitchenware shop in Honolulu. We became instant friends as our mutual love of food and cooking bound us together; Judy had written three cookbooks while still living in CT and I wrote a food related website for home cooks. We even performed a cooking demonstration "all about mushrooms" to our mutual delight and hopefully to our audience as well.
The many times we spent together are memories I will cherish forever, most especially the many Christmas Eve dinners we shared at our home after Frederic died. There were other wonderful times together as well, too many to mention.
The week before May 30, 2020 when Judy left us, I texted her a picture of the sunset each evening which she so loved. I will forever think of Judy at sunset as I have every evening since then.

Donna Gibson

August 15, 2020

What a modest obituary for a most accomplished woman. Judy Grant Gorman Browning was a skilled cook, author of several cookbooks, and gifted pianist who once appeared as featured soloist with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. I believe Edmund purchased the grand piano which she used when she performed with the orchestra as a memento and how she marveled at the idea of the piano traveling aboard ship from CT through the Suez Canal to its new home in Hawaii. While many of us, high school friends, lost contact with her when she moved, we reconnected with the advent of Facebook. Such a talented woman.

Miss G.

August 2, 2020

Ms. Browning, I didn't know you, but I had met you- you sound like an Amazing person.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace!!!,

Lee Alford

August 2, 2020

I have not seen Judy since she left Poquonock in 1952. However I immediately recognized her photo in today’s Courant. Judy and I both attended the one room Elm Grove School at the corner of Poquonock Avenue and Prospect Hill Road in 1949. She was in the first grade and I was in Kindergarten. She always kindly and graciously helped me and others while the teacher worked with the older students. (Yes, one teacher, 30 students, K-6). I now live by Northwest Park and as I walk by the house where Judy and her family lived I often wonder what happened with Judy.
Today I found out.
Thank you Judy for your help and may God Bless you.

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