Following a mighty battle with cancer, Carolyn E. Brown, 64, went to be with the Lord Nov. 9, while at home with family by her side, as she wished. Born in Long Branch to Lindal and Joyce Brown, she was the second oldest of five children. Carolyn was predeceased by her baby brother Joseph in 1967 and her parents in 2002.
As owner and president, Carolyn made Brown’s a woman-owned and led HVAC and contracting company, a rarity in New Jersey. Carolyn’s big heart and spirit of generosity were the core to having close relationships with employees and customers alike. Having an open-door policy, Carolyn was never too busy to listen to anyone and it brought her great joy to help others. Carolyn’s integrity in business made for long-standing relationships with her vendors and customers, where a hand shake still stood for something.
Carolyn enjoyed listening to vintage tunes from Broadway musicals while working. Those who knew her well will remember her beautiful voice. She would belt out a tune at work or at home if it was one of her favorites. Yet, at home, she loved doing her unbelievable 5,000-piece puzzles; she loved watching TV detective and mystery shows. And in her yard, she loved bird watching and flower gardening. These filled her soul with great peace.
Carolyn is survived by her lifetime companion Angela DiMarzo, Colts Neck; three siblings, Linda F. Brown, Colts Neck, Larry E. Brown, Hazlet, and Douglas R. Brown, Asbury Park; cherished nieces and nephews, Maddie M. Sanders, Brooklyn, Shelby Rae Brown, Manhattan, Michael Dwyer, Staten Island, Christian Brown, Neptune, and Jason and Heather Vaught and children Ashley and Austin, Zionsville, Indiana; her cousin Dr. Steven Layne of Chicago and aunts Carol Rector in Indiana and Suzie Layne in California were lovingly supportive in her final days. Many other cousins and relatives were loved by Carolyn.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Carolyn loved children and the hope they brought to this world. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Carolyn’s memory to Sylvia’s Children of Holmdel at sylviaschildren.com or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.
Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the November 26 – December 2, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
