Paula M. Brown

Paula M. Brown, 66, of Groton, passed away on February 2, 2026 at Guthrie Cortland Nursing & Rehabilitation after a brief illness.

Paula was born on April 21,1959 in Cortland, a daughter of the late Francis W. and Pauline (Metcalf) Conklin. A lifelong area resident, she was awarded an associates degree at Tompkins Cortland Community College and furthered her education at Cornell University, where she later worked as an Administrative Assistant. For the past 43 years, she worked with her family to build Doug's Trash Removal, a well-known local business, where she did her part to support Doug and ensure the business' growth and success.

Paula was a homemaker, bookkeeper, dedicated mother and grandmother: her grandchildren were raised, loved, fed and tended to every day by their grandmother. Her entire office was set up both for bookkeeping and as a nursery to tend to the babies! When her grandchildren started school, she picked them up every morning and drove them up to the school. She LOVED her doggies as well, and the family will especially remember Pudgie, Moo, Pepper and Marley. She is missed now by her current canine companion, Wally.

She was a huge rock music fan, taking her teenage daughter and friends all over NYS to concerts that included Aerosmith, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Bad Company! Most recently, she introduced and played all the old rock and roll songs to her grandkids. An artist at heart, she could paint, draw, and create pencil & charcoal drawings. Birthday party decorations, games, and even the signs for the Groton Old Home Days were the products of Paula's hands. She also created and hand made every parade float for Doug’s Trash Removal.

Paula is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Christine and TJ Personius, and her grandchildren, Caryssa, Logan, and Lacy; her longtime husband and business partner, Doug Brown, all of Groton; brother, Paul Conklin, of Marcellus; sister, Charlotte Strauf, of Syracuse; Jason & Kristi Personius; and the many teens and neighborhood kids to whom she was "Nana." She is also survived by her best friend and life partner, Michael King, with whom she has enjoyed going to baseball games, attending rock concerts and enjoying Bahama mama's at Applebee's; and additionally, by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is at peace, now joining loved ones in Heaven, that include her parents, Francis and Pauline; her brothers John and Michael Conklin; and twin grandsons. 

Friends may call from 12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM on Wednesday, February 11 at the Shurtleff Funeral Home, 103 Lincoln Avenue, Groton, with funeral services to follow at 1:00 PM. Interment will be in Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, are graciously recommended to Country Acres Animal Shelter, 5852 W. Scott Rd., Homer, NY 13077 (https://countryacresanimalshelter.org ).  Online condolences may be shared at www.shurtleffservices.com .