Daphne Brown

Daphne Elizabeth Brown passed away of UPSC uterine cancer on December 10th. She is survived by her husband, Jonathan Curry Steele, daughter Catherine Gillian Brown Steele, sister, Gillian Brown, aunt Nancy White and her extended family, Ralph Bunker, Deborah and Bob Kotchian, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Her father, Ridgley Staniford Brown, and mother, Sophie Mary Rowbotham Brown, preceded her in death.

Daphne was born in Manchester, New Hampshire and raised in Gardner, Massachusetts. She graduated from Walnut Hill School in Natick, Massachusetts, and went on to the University of Pennsylvania (B.A 1970) and University of Washington (Master of Architecture 1973). She was awarded a Loeb Fellowship in 1989-1990 for studies at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. Daphne was a Principal with Kumin Associates, Inc.

Throughout her life, Daphne maintained an intense curiosity about place in an historical context. From trips to England at a young age to visit her mother's family to ferreting out old graveyards and rock walls in the New England woods and countryside, Daphne developed a keen historical imagination and sense of landscape, families, and communities as they evolved over time. She approached her life in Anchorage and Alaska with a similar curiosity and wonder, often commenting on how privileged she was to be part of an ever-evolving city situated in the wilderness.

Her career as a prominent Anchorage architect reflected her love and respect for place and community. Arriving in Anchorage in 1975 Daphne worked for CCC Architects under the tutelage of Ed Crittenden. Since 1987, she has been with Kumin Associates. These thirty-five years included significant service to her profession and community at national, state, and local levels serving various professional boards and commissions, including multiple terms as Chair of the MOA Planning and Zoning Commission and state and regional licensing boards. Her public service reflected her deep commitment to viewing public planning, not just from the perspective of an architect, but as an active and involved citizen of the community. This public service commitment, started early in her career at CCC, and was reflected in some of her most significant projects throughout the state. It culminated in the Anchorage Museum's expansion project where she led the design and construction team as the project manager for the responsible architect. This unique project demanded leading a complex, collaborative effort among the London based design architect, the owner, the users, multiple specialty consultants, and contractors. Through the seven-year project, she frequently remarked how lucky she was to work with a strong team of professional designers, as well as professional contractors and skilled craftsmen. Everyone pitched in together working towards a single goal. Daphne was most proud of her staff and colleagues at Kumin Associates. Mentoring young professionals has been a highlight of her career. Daphne also felt most fortunate to be able to work with two wonderful partners these past few years.

Over the years Daphne was a YWCA Woman of Achievement (1994), an mentor in the ASD programs, and her work was featured nationally in the "Women in American Architecture" traveling show (1978-1988). The AIA Alaska Awards programs honored a number of her architecture projects.

Most important throughout her life were family, friends and colleagues. She felt very fortunate to have spent the better part of her life with her husband, Jonathan. Together with their cherished daughter Catherine, they created a home and family.

She was "amazed and humbled" by the outpouring of love and support from friends and colleagues these last 20 months. She and her family also thank Dr. Liu and staff at Alaska Oncology for their superb care.

As a parting thought - Daphne believed from an early age the integration of the cultural aspects, (art, music, literature) of our society into the political, educational, economic, and governmental systems creates a better environment and a quality of life for all.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Anchorage Museum Emerging Artists Exhibits, KSKA/KAKM, or a charity of your choice.

A memorial service is being planned for January.