Linda A. (Finneran) Brown, 78, of Exeter Township, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.
Born in Boston and raised in Milton, Massachusetts, Linda attended Fontbonne Academy before matriculating at Fisher College. Linda then worked for the federal government, including the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, DC; Istanbul, Turkey; and Boston. Linda met her husband of twenty-six years, Leighton T. Brown, while on a cruise in 1968. They were married on April 18, 1970. The couple lived in Wilmington, Delaware before moving to Reading in 1974 to start a business, Pappy's Family Pub, and to expand their family, welcoming Emily in 1976 and Leighton II in 1978.
Linda was an extraordinary parent, someone who took a sincere interest in the lives and happiness of young people in and beyond her direct care. As a committed Lausch Elementary library volunteer and PTA member, Girl Scout troop leader, active swim team parent, and reliable extra hand for various local organizations, Linda dedicated a significant amount of her time to fostering the greater good.
A fiercely intelligent, profoundly caring, and genuinely witty person, Linda loved sharing all that she had with all those she met. Whether traveling the world (or helping others do the same during her career at Boscov's Travel Center), hosting friends, or spending time with the family she loved so dearly, Linda effortlessly filled a room with kindness, insight, and grace. She will be forever missed.
Linda was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Dagmar (Rosenblad) Finneran, and her husband Leighton, who died of complications from ALS on December 21, 1996. She is survived by an expansive network of friends and family, including her longtime companion, John Gallagher; her sister, Alma Finneran; her children, Leighton T. Brown II (Matthew Riemer), Emily V. Brown Cottone, Richard C. Brown (Linda), and Christine L. Brown. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jonathan (Amy), and Lindsay Brown, Aidan, Madelyn, and Owen Cottone.
A celebration of Linda's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, 135 Parkinson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10305 (parkinson.org). Lutz Funeral Home Inc., 2100 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, Pa 19606 is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.LutzFuneralHome.com.
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