Sheila Esther Rothgart Browning

Sheila Esther Rothgart Browning, 78, of New York City, ended her life on September 17th, 2023, after a battle with intolerable depression and anxiety. She was caught up in a painful struggle weighing her own need for peace with the sorrow and pain that her death would inflict upon her family and friends.

Sheila lived a full and rich life, with so much joy and celebration, deep in relationships and reflection. She was the most loving and devoted mother to her two children, Jesse and Megan, and in recent years became Nonna to her granddaughter Haddie Rose Bown, whom she absolutely adored. In her words, her children were her greatest accomplishments. Her arms were always wide open to both of them and all of their friends.

Born in Brooklyn to Hadassah and Albert Rothgart, she joined an older sister Judy. She was a Booster at James Madison High School where she made lifelong friends. A Brooklyn girl through and through, her roots were recognizable by her circle of friends, her accent, her unique laughter, her skepticism, her outspoken nature, and her commitment to always finding a bargain or, at least, the best deal.

After college in the Midwest, Sheila came back to New York and took up residence in Manhattan where she lived in several different apartments with roommates until settling into her own studio in the heart of Greenwich Village at the corner of Christopher and Bleecker Streets, a short walk to her school, P.S. 3, The Charette School. It was while living there that she met the love of her life, Charlie Browning, affectionately known as Charl. After a romantic and fun-filled courtship, they married in 1980.

Sheila and Charlie had two children together, Jesse and Megan Browning. Her beautiful, smart son Jesse predeceased her in 2012. She is survived by Charlie Browning, her daughter Megan Browning, her son-in-law Will Bown, granddaughter Haddie Rose Bown, her sister Judy MacDonald, niece Elizabeth MacDonald, Elizabeth's husband, Len Ericson and their two daughters, Alice and Ellie as well as her nephew James's widow Sunny and their two daughters, Anthea and Astrid; plus an extensive network of loving friends.

Sheila loved babies and kids. She often commented on the freshness of their perception of the world, how they were seeing everything for the first time. She was always quick to engage and make them smile. Sheila was warm and soft and the best person to sit next to while she read aloud one of her favorite children's books.

From that love and affinity for little ones came her interest in early childhood education, leading to her 25-year career as a New York City public school teacher. Sheila was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and earned two Masters Degrees from the Bank Street College of Education, one in Early Education, another in Computers in Education. Her impact on the lives of the countless children she taught over her years as a teacher is immeasurable. She was committed to her young early learners. She knew they were at the age when they were ripe for learning and when she could help lay the foundations of their knowledge and skills. She taught them the basics and made learning fun.

Sheila had an artistic eye and her own special flavor of fashion, known for her signature glasses, elegant scarves, colorful shoes, and an impressive collection of pins. She curated her own home with things she loved, including her mother's classic mid-century furniture and fixtures. She always had something to pass on to someone in need or starting out on their own.

Sheila had a saying for everything, songs for every occasion, and always offered the perfect words (and emojis) to her friends and family. She initiated conversations easily with anybody and made friends wherever she went. Out of empathy and unstoppable curiosity, she learned their stories and the intricacies of their lives. She was a true friend, a great listener, a loyal supporter of everyone she loved.

She was an avid theater goer, and lover of museums. She was a social activist and critic, always having an opinion on the latest play or New York Times piece. She was a natural conversationalist - extremely chatty, joyous, and funny. She was a lover of good food and an excellent cook with a passion for time spent at Farmers' markets in New York, Vermont or wherever she and Charlie found them. A baker at times in her life, she passed this skill on to both of her children and you could often find a tin of cookies, blondies, or her famous lemon squares in her home.

Having studied the Italian language and spent time in Italy during college, Sheila was a true Italophile and it was evidenced by her love of pasta and good bread. Both of her children also had connections to the country and the language, and she and her family spent a lot of time in Italy over the years.

Sheila was a caretaker of plants, and a lover of beautiful flowers, especially peonies. She loved travel, reading, word games, swimming, aqua aerobics, and, most of all, spending time with her family and all her friends.

At the time of her death, Sheila lived in Greenwich Village with Charlie, in the apartment they shared for 45 years. A house in Vermont built by her son-in-law Will and his father was designed as a retreat and a haven where she spent many meaningful nature-filled moments with her family.

At the end of her life she did everything she could to overcome her impossible struggles with mental illness. She had the unwavering support and love of her family and friends during these dark times.

Sheila was truly a bright light, a deep soul who shared so much of herself with those around her.

She exuded warmth and love, and her unforgettable, kind smile and open arms are imprinted on the minds of all of those who love her. Sheila was an original, deeply loved, a bright light in an often-dark world. She will be deeply missed and not forgotten.

Sheila's family and friends arranged for her brain to be donated to the Harvard Brain Bank for neurological research, where one brain can support hundreds of studies. During this time of deep heartbreak, it is our hope that Sheila's brain may be able to help in the quest toward more effective treatments for depression and other mental illnesses.

Sheila will be buried in Vermont. A celebration of her life will be held in New York City later this year. To honor Sheila's dedication to young readers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to We Need Diverse Books at diversebooks.org and The Children's Literacy Foundation at clifonline.org.