Alice Cary Farmer Brown

ALICE CARY FARMER BROWN, a daughter of Kentucky who became a citizen of the world and the wife of an ambassador, died peacefully November 29, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. She was 87 years old.Alice Cary was born March 22, 1937 in Louisville to Alice Cary and Eugene Farmer. After attending Louisville Collegiate School, she received her BA from Sweet Briar College in 1959. A month after graduation, Alice Cary married fellow Louisvillian, Lee Brown (William Lee Lyons Brown, Jr.). Together they raised three children, Lyons, Cary, and Stuart on their farm in Prospect, Kentucky. Because Lee joined his family's company, Brown-Forman Corporation, their early years took them to Paris, France, where their youngest, Stuart, was born in 1964. Alice Cary thrived in France. She attended cooking classes at the Cordon Bleu where she befriended among others Julia Childs' partner, Simone Beck. Alice Cary delighted in hosting elegant dinner parties in their townhouse in Neuilly-sur-Seine, and because of her wild story telling, infectious laugh, and talented cooking, her dinner invitations were much sought after.In 1965, Alice Cary and Lee returned to Louisville, where Lee took on many leadership roles at Brown-Forman including CEO for eighteen years. During these years, Alice Cary was the "strength behind the man", providing undiminished guidance and support with her strong character and moral compass. She had a true talent for navigating cultural differences, even when finessing such moments as when a dignitary from Japan folded up his canape in a linen doily and ate it sushi style. Hosting dinner parties was a joy for Alice Cary not a detail was overlooked, including her unique and self- made flower arrangements. She had an eye for beauty and this love of flowers bloomed in to her passion for gardening.In 1972 Alice Cary joined the Glenview Garden Club where she began a long career supporting local and national horticulture and conservation efforts. She loyally served for half a century and as president for two years. In 1994, Alice Cary began her work at a national level with the Garden Club of America as Director of Zone VII. A horticultural judge, she spent thirteen years crisscrossing the country like a female Johnny Appleseed, sharing her knowledge and offering skillful advice to other devoted gardeners. Alice Cary was also a distinguished member of the Grass River Garden Club in Delray Beach, Florida, where she and Lee lived beginning in 2012. She flourished in these roles with the garden clubs as they became an abiding passion of her life.Alice Cary believed in giving back. She was happily involved in many board and community activities during her life time. Some of these included: the Junior League of Louisville, founding member of the New Arts Committee of the Speed Art Museum, trustee of Wintethur Museum (Chairperson of the Garden Committee), trustee of Sweet Briar College (23 years), trustee of Storm King Art Center (founder and Chair of the Landscape Committee), horticulture committee of the New York Botanical Garden, and a trustee of The Society of the Four Arts.From 2001- 2005, Alice Cary's husband Lee served as the American ambassador to Austria under President George Bush. During this time, Alice Cary took her duties very seriously and was quite popular while helping serve her country.In 1968, Alice Cary and Lee began their longtime summer months on Fishers Island, NY, where they developed strong and lasting friendships. On island, Alice Cary was a memeber of the St. John's Episcopal Church and the Fishers Island Club. In New York City she was a member of St. James' Church as well as The Colony Club.Alice Cary is predeceased in death by her husband of 65 years, Ambassador William Lee Lyons Brown, Jr., of Gulfstream, Florida.She is survived by her two sons, Lyons (Susanna), and Stuart (Joanna), and by her daughter Cary (Steven Epstein). And by eight grandchildren and two great-granchildren who knew her as "Mimi". She is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Farmer Owen (Douglas) of Louisville.A private graveside service was held at Cave Hill Cemetery December 7. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Alice Cary's name to: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
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Louisville KY - 40207
US
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