Obituary of Gweneth Evelyn Brown

Gwen Brown, a resident of Aptos Ridge Circle in Santa Cruz county for the past thirty years, passed away peacefully at her home on December 25, surrounded by her loving family. She was 95 years old. Gwen was born in Beverly, England. She was the daughter of Albert and Ida Bowler, and sister of Daphne Roe. She met her husband, Alan, in the town of Beverly, in Yorkshire, England. They were happily married for almost seventy years, until Alan’s passing in 2022. As a young girl, Gwen had a love of nature, and spent much time walking in the surrounding countryside with her friends. As she grew into her teenage years, Gwen developed a love for big band music, and spent many happy evenings dancing at the village hall to bands playing Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. She and Alan often attended these dances together. Gwen and Alan emigrated to Los Angeles in 1956, where Alan became a research associate and lecturer at the University of Southern California before beginning a long and successful career in the aerospace industry. Gwen took the long journey away from her beloved home with her young daughter and joined Alan to create a new life in California. As much as she enjoyed her life here, she always thought of England, Yorkshire in particular, as her home. Gwen was a wonderful mother to her four daughters, Yvonne, Christine, Diane and Maureen. She was always there for them. After moving to the Santa Cruz area, Gwen became a member of two local clubs: The Daughters of the British Empire and The Corralitos Women’s Club, both of which significantly enriched her life. She developed many friendships within these clubs. Gwen and Alan were also regular attendees of the Santa Cruz Symphony and local theater. Anyone who knew Gwen knew what a kind and gentle woman she was. Her open-minded and non-judgmental attitude allowed her to connect with people of all different beliefs and backgrounds. Gwen had a great sense of humor, and loved to sing songs to suit the occasion. She took great pleasure from the birds and flowers that graced her garden. Gwen was loved by many, and will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her daughters, Yvonne Long, Christine Kopecky, Diane Tipton, and Maureen Brown, her sons-in-law, Robert Long and Trace Tipton, her nieces, Carolyn Garland, Angela Wilson, and Gillian Johnston, all residents of England, and her grandchildren, Kai Kopecky, Aleia Tipton and Bryce Tipton. A celebration of her life will be held at the Corralitos Women’s Club, 33 Browns Valley Road, Watsonville, on February 9, at 2PM.