Joanne Brown

A lifelong resident of Long Beach, CA, Joanne C. Brown died peacefully at her home on August 24, 2025. She was the only child of John and Dorcas Shaw.  Joanne had many fond memories of her life in Long Beach.  While living on Park Street at the age of 4 years she met her best friend for life, Rosalie Matthews.  During WWII her father served in the SeaBees, Joanne and her mother moved into the Shady Acres trailer park.  Joanne would accompany Dorcas to her job at the Douglas Aircraft plant where Dorcas operated a sandwich cart for the workers.  While Dorcas worked Joanne would remain in the car in parking facility, often times she would chat with the security officers. 

Joanne graduated in 1950 from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach.  She would often tell family and friends about the day a handsome letterman walked into what she called her Math for Dummies class, she made sure that he noticed her.  That man was George Brown, the love of her live who became her husband in 1952.  A few years after their marriage George and Joanne set up residence in the Los Altos area of Long Beach, the house she lived in until her death. In short order their family grew with the births of Kathy and then Ken.  Durng this time George worked as a fireman for the Long Beach Fire Department., and Joanne made a warm, memory filled home. As the children grew, she worked as a Secretary for Military Marketing and then a real estate office for six years. Following George’s retirement Joanne planned and organized their extensive RV adventures. She planned months long outings to Mexico, Alaska, Florida and many National Parks. They were oftern accompanied by their long time friends, Dale and LeDon Taylor, and Frank and Rosalie Matthews.  The Browns, Taylors and Matthews always gathered to ring in the New Year together, they spent many happy hours together. George and Joanne were also active members of the Long Beach Elks. Joanne is predeceased by her husband George and survived by her children Kathy Douglas (Gordon) and Ken Brown (Margo Morales), grandchildren Kara (Jeramy), Jessica, Greg (Barbara), Leslie (Zach), Beth (Fred), and Rebecca (Joshua).  During the twilight years of her life she took the greatest pleasure in the birth of each of her 10 great grandchildren, she adopted the moniker GG for Great Grandma.  She also cherised her many neices and nephews, and friends.  The family would like to thank her caregivers, Brittanie and Vicky for the loving care they showed her, and becoming adopted grand daughters. In lieu of flowers gifts may be made to the Aquarium of the Pacific in the memory of Joanne Brown. Please send your support to Aquarium of the Pacific, ATTN: Development Department, P.O. Box 21534, Long Beach, CA 90802.