THOMASTON — Marilyn W. Brown, 84, beloved wife of the Rev. Joseph Brown, went home to be with the Lord on  July 26, 2015.

Born May 29, 1931, in Everett, Mass., she was the daughter of Mark and Winifred Burke. Educated in Massachusetts, she graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1949. Following high school, Marilyn attended New England Bible Institute in Framingham, Mass. There, she met and fell in love with Joseph Brown. After graduating from Bible College in 1952 she moved to Torrington, Conn., and worked at the First Assembly of God Church, which Joe had established. Joe and Marilyn were married in September 1953 in Massachusetts. They continued to minister in Torrington until 1961. Their son, William, and daughter, Judy, were born here. Next they moved to Hamburg, N.J., where they pastored at the Assembly of God Church. While here Marilyn worked as a secretary at the elementary school.

In 1963 the couple moved to Springfield, Mo., while the Rev. Brown continued his education, and Marilyn worked for Gospel Publishing House. Moving to Maine in 1965, Marilyn and Rev. Brown pastored the Thomaston Assembly of God Church. While in Thomaston, they welcomed their third child, a son, Mark, into their family. For many years she worked as the church secretary. Together they helped to grow and expand the ministry there.

Over the years Marilyn held various jobs locally. She was employed for several years as a caregiver at the Lucette Boarding Home, and also served as an English teacher for four years with Thomaston Grammar School.

After Rev. Brown's retirement in 1995, the couple remained active in the ministry and the community, serving as interim pastor at the Thomaston Federated Church.

From an early age, Marilyn was an avid reader. Her love of reading continued into her adult life, and she was a frequent visitor to the Thomaston Public Library. She was patriotic, and enjoyed being active in her community.

Marilyn loved to travel. All through her husband's career, the couple enjoyed many road trips, often tenting in various parks. She was especially thrilled to have taken a trip to England for their 25th wedding anniversary. After their retirement, church members presented them with a trip to Israel and Greece. They took great pleasure in sharing this trip with many of the church members.

Predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Gloria and Harold Sellers; and a brother, Nicholas Burke; Marilyn is survived by her husband, the Rev. Joseph Brown of Thomaston; her children, William Brown and his wife, June, of Hope, Judith Hastings and her husband, Ronnie, of Thomaston, and Mark Brown and his wife, Sonya, of Columbia, S.C.; a sister-in-law, Irene Duell of Florida; four grandchildren, James Brown and his wife, Heidi, Lynn Jackson and her husband, Ravi, Stacy Whitley and her husband, Sam, and Scott Hastings and his wife, Kristy; eight great-grandchildren, Colton and Hailie, Felicity and Mina, Brayden, Tessa and Tucker, and Bobby; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit Wednesday, July 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home. A Home-Going Celebration will be held Thursday, July 2 at 2 p.m. at Thomaston Assembly of God Church. Interment will follow at Village Cemetery in Thomaston.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to Thomaston Assembly of God Church, 14 Roxbury St., Thomaston, ME 04861 or the Thomaston Public Library, 60 Main St., Thomaston, ME 04861.