Beatrice Lucille Gilchrist Brown, 83, died in her home in South Londonderry Township, surrounded by her family, on November 27, 2025, Thanksgiving Day. Her circle included her husband of 62 years, Dick Brown, her children Andy, Christine and Cathleen and nephew Fred, along with several of her grandchildren.
Bea was born on September 18th, 1942, to Edna Tewksbury Brown and William Gilchrist in Lake Como, PA. She graduated from Penn State, where she met her husband, who she married November 28th, 1963. They raised their family in Lititz, PA, before retiring to their log house in the woods near Mt. Gretna.
She was active in local and state politics and paid close attention to local and world affairs. In 2013 Bea was honored with a Jefferson Award for Public Service for her work establishing the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to help low-income families of Lebanon County.
She took great delight in the progress of her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and was a tremendous source of love, inspiration and support for them.
She is being interred at Paxtang cemetery in Harrisburg in a small family ceremony, with a memorial service planned for early summer. Reach out to [email protected] for more information, subject line, "Bea Brown memorial."
In lieu of flowers, please do something nice for others and think of her. She felt there should be more kindness in the world.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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