Jeanne Brown Lilly

Jeanne Kent (Brown) Lilly, 97, of Durham, NC passed away on February 15, 2024. She was born on August 16, 1926 to Mary McNamara Brown and Charles Lee Brown Sr. in Orange, NJ. Jeanne spent her childhood in Ridgewood, NJ and raised her family with her husband Pete in Glen Rock, NJ before moving to Durham in 1999. Jeanne was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Curtis Belwood Lilly (Pete), and her parents, as well as her brother Charles Lee Brown Jr.

Jeanne attended Ridgewood High School and graduated from Goucher College with a degree in Economics. While at Goucher, she joined the Pi Beta Phi Sorority and remained an active member for most of her life. It was through Pi Phi that she met several of her lifelong friends.

Jeanne was active in sports, enjoying playing tennis and golf. She and Pete were avid bridge players throughout the many decades of their marriage, and she filled in Pete’s place in the Croasdaile Village men’s poker group after his passing. Jeanne also spent years singing in the choir at First Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, before moving to NC and joining Westminster Presbyterian Church in Durham. Jeanne had a passion for solving crossword puzzles, which she continued to do until the weeks prior to her death despite her limited eyesight, with friends or family reading clues to her. Jeanne enjoyed and excelled at many crafting activities such as sewing, knitting and needlework. She donated dozens of blankets to the Linus Blanket Project.

Jeanne’s greatest pride and joy was her family. She will be missed by her loving daughters, Katherine (Kay) Wellemeyer (husband Doug) of Durham, NC; Laura Lilly (husband Mark Gray) of Port Angeles, WA; and Patricia Lilly (husband David Butler) of Seattle, WA. Grandchildren include Greg Wellemeyer, Carrie Wellemeyer, Allison Spencer, Jonah Gray, Ryan Gray and Dylan Butler. Great-grandchildren include Caden and Cole Schweitz, Olivia DeLisle, Desmond and Winifred Wellemeyer, Emma and Lilly Spencer, Eleanor and Matilda Gray.

A memorial service will be held on March 2nd, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.