Elaine Brown

Elaine Suzanne Brown, 86, of Portage, died in her sleep with her husband Vaikai Brown by her side on June 1, 2025. She was born on April 22,1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Herman and Rose (Weisman) Blumenthal. Elaine was a graduate of Philadelphia's Girls' High, Drexel University with a bachelor's degree in Biology, and Case Western Reserve University with her master's degree in Library Science. Elaine's greatest joy in life was being a stay-at-home mom. When her children were older, she returned to the workforce as a travel agent, a substitute librarian for the Kalamazoo Public Libraries, and a reference librarian for the Comstock Public Library.

Elaine was a talented potter and pastel artist and enjoyed taking art classes at the Kalamazoo Institute of Art and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Often her artwork included elements of nature and animals, whom she adored. Elaine was a singer, sewist, gourmet cook, and trained cake decorator. In her freetime she was an avid reader, spending a great deal of effort researching the topics of nutrition and holistic healing in order to help her family and friends. She also assisted in the coordination of book and amateur investor clubs and donated regularly to numerous charities. Elaine is survived by her husband of 58 years Vaikai; her daughter Grace Brown; her grandson Henry Brown; her sister-in-law Linda Blumenthal; her niece and nephews: Alice McGinty, Edward (Amy) Blumenthal, and David (Stephanie) Blumenthal; her granddog Trixie; and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Theodore "Ted" Brown, her brother Saul Blumenthal, and her granddog KC. A graveside ceremony will be held at Central Cemetery in Portage at 2 PM on Tuesday, June 10, with a memorial service being held later in July. Donations in memory of Elaine may be made to Learning Ally.cPlease share memories of Elaine with her family at www.langelands.com