Nancy Byrem Brown, 100, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024. Nancy was a resident in the Apostle’s Care Center of Homestead Village for the past 3 years, having originally moved into independent living in 2011.
Born in Harrisburg in 1923, she was the only child of Philip Earle and Margaret Velder Byrem. A graduate of the Harrisburg City Schools, she received her RN from the Harrisburg Hospital School of Nursing. Immediately after graduation, she enlisted in the US Army and had a brief deployment in Hawaii until the war ended. Returning home, she worked as a school nurse for 5 years. In 1951, she married Rev. Dr. William J. Brown and celebrated 58 years of marriage until his death in 2009.
The Browns made Lancaster their home beginning in 1964. Although she did not have employment outside the home, her life was filled with service. She was active in Presbyterian Women from the local to the national level with positions including Moderator of Donegal Presbyterial twice and, at the national level, was a member of the Executive Committee of Presbyterian Women. An elder at both First Presbyterian of Lancaster and Wayside Presbyterian, she served as the first woman Moderator of Donegal Presbytery, led the Presbytery Board of Trustees and served as President of the Lancaster County Church Women United. Nancy was also an active committee member with Heifer International.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan B. Dunham (Rev. Guy Dunham) of York; son William J. Brown, Jr. (Donna Brown) of Frederick MD.; five grandchildren, and many great and great-great grandchildren. Her husband and son, Philip, preceded her in death.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Radcliffe House in the Apostle’s Care Center for their care of Nancy these last three years. It was clear to all that she was loved very much.
The Celebration of Life will be held at The Bachman Center of Homestead Village 633 Community Way, Lancaster on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. The internment will be held at the Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Pittsburgh at the convenience of the family.
Contributions in Nancy’s memory may be made to The Homestead Village Endowment Fund, 1800 Village Circle, Lancaster, PA 17603.