Jean Elaine Brown, 82, of Pittsfield by way of Beaver Falls, Meadville and Pittsburgh, PA; Cleveland, OH and Oak Park and Forest Park, IL, passed away Friday, January 8, 2010.

Jean was born February 13, 1927 in Pittsburg, PA, the daughter of the late Willard “Brownie” and Grace King Brown.  Jean grew up, attended and taught college at the University of Pittsburg, Geneva College and Meadville College in Pennsylvania.  She obtained Masters Degrees in Speech, Drama and Set Design and Construction.  It was pretty evident that Jean would teach those subjects, and she did from 1951-1958, but her love of the theatre also spilled over into her almost 30 years of volunteer involvement in community theatre.  Her set designs won many awards and wowed many theatre goers in the Chicago area. 

Jean loved life in general and it showed in her love of people and the career paths she chose.  Jean worked for the Girl Scouts in Cleveland, OH and Oak Park, IL from 1958-1987 in many capacities, but her fondest job was directing Girl Scout Camp.  Over the many years at camp in Ohio and Wisconsin, JEB (her camp name) molded and challenged many a camper and staff.  In her retirement years, Jean also kept busy with a job as an artistic designer at an unfinished furniture store (check out client Pat Sajak’s cow table), travel, golf, fishing, bingo, camping, board games, knitting, bridge and crafts.  Jean was a lifelong Pittsburg Steelers fan and an avid Cubs and Bears fan.

Jean is survived by three nephews, whom she cared for dearly, Dave (Mary) Griffiths of Portland, OR; Tom (Carolyn) Griffiths of Morganton, GA; and John (Cindy) Griffiths of Austin, TX.  Also surviving are six great-nieces and nephews and three great-great nieces and nephews, the many friends she met along her life’s journey, her special friends, Jim and Carol Seguin of Petersburg, IL and their family, Jean’s very dearest friend of thirty seven years, Cindi Troutner of Pittsfield and their three feline friends, Amelia, Sam and Merlin.

With Jean’s wonderful sense of humor, she was a real joy to family and friends and will be deeply missed.

Per Jean’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and no service will be held.  Her ashes will be scattered at a later date at her nephew’s mountain home in Georgia.

Condolences may be sent to the family at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.