Alice Creagh Brown, longtime teacher

Alice Creagh Brown of Rochambeau Avenue, who began a long teaching career in a one-room New Canaan schoolhouse, died on Friday, Nov. 16, at the Filosa Convalescent Home in Danbury. She was 90 years old and the widow of Francis L. Brown.
A lifelong Ridgefielder, Mrs. Brown was born in the Creagh homestead at 22 North Salem Road on Aug. 14, 1911, a daughter of the late William and Mary Brady Creagh. She attended Ridgefield schools and graduated from Ridgefield High School with the Class of 1929.
She went on to attend the Danbury Normal School, now Western Connecticut State University, graduating with her teaching degree in 1931.
Mrs. Brown began her teaching career at the Church Hill School in New Canaan, commuting in a Model T Ford. The rural, one-room schoolhouse, now a private home, served eight grades and had neither electricity nor running water. She later taught at Center School also in New Canaan.
Mrs. Brown continued teaching until her marriage in 1940 to Francis Leo Brown. Mr. Brown was a local contractor and for many years a partner in the K.E.B. (Keeler, Elliott & Brown) Mobil gas station on Danbury Road, and Mrs. Brown helped with the business. Mr. Brown and his partner Fred Cogswell subdivided and built the first homes on Stonecrest Road and Hobby Drive. He also built his family’s home on Rochambeau Avenue. Mr. Brown died in 1955.
Mrs. Brown returned to teaching in 1961, working for about eight years at St. Mary’s School. She subsequently taught at Ridgebury, Scotland and Veterans Park Schools. After her retirement in 1973, she provided childcare for several local families.
Mrs. Brown was a member of St. Mary’s Church and was a past trustee. She was a charter member of CCC-Sewing Club, a group of local women who met every other week in each other’s homes continuously over a period of 60 years.
Mrs. Brown liked walking, especially along Main Street, and when she was younger enjoyed horseback riding.
Mrs. Brown is survived by four sons: William C. Brown of Menlo Park, Calif., Christopher L. Brown and Alan G. Brown of Kohala, Hawaii, and Paul J. Brown of Jamaica Plain, Mass.; two sisters: Mary Creagh and Agnes Creagh, both of Ridgefield; and six grandchildren.
Her eldest son, Leo, died in 1991, and a brother, William Creagh and two sisters, Margaret (Mrs. Thomas) Christopher and Katherine (Mrs. Octavius) Carboni, also died before her.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Friends will be received in St. Mary’s Church on Saturday after 9.
Contributions in Mrs. Brown’s memory may be made to the Dorothy Day Hospitality House, 11 Spring Street, Danbury, CT 06810.
The Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.