Pauline A. Brown

Pauline Brown entered glory in the evening of November 5, 2023 (age 95) after a short stay in the Advent House Hospice home in Rochester, New York. Born Pauline Alice Kolodinski (daughter of Stanley and Ruth), she grew up in Winchendon, Massachusetts. From childhood Polly had a passion for learning and ministry; valedictorian of her Murdock High School class of 1946, she was the first in her extended family to complete college, graduating from Gordon College in 1950. While at Gordon she met Ralph Brown, the love of her life, partner in ministry and husband of over 65 years. Pauline and Ralph together followed God's call to overseas ministry in Pakistan, where they served for almost 35 years. After retiring from full time ministry they settled at a new homestead in the woods of Royalston, Massachusetts, that they dubbed 'Eight Acre Woods', a place where they welcomed their children, grandchildren and friends for 12 years. After selling their home, they moved closer to family, first in Hadley, Massachusetts, and then their final move, to Rochester, New York. While in Rochester, they put down roots and established friendships across the area and at several different churches, participating in services, ministry and outreach to International Students. Over her years in the USA, Polly enjoyed deep friendships within the Massachusetts communities of Bethany Bible Chapel, Athol Orange Baptist Church and Stony Brook Community Church. Her Rochester community included friends from Sunday Evening Fellowship at Browncroft Community Church, Ridgeland Community Church, and Community Bible Study. She remained deeply appreciative of those friendships and maintained correspondences with friends across the world into her 90s.

Polly was a capable linguist, author, speaker and mentor. She learned the Urdu and Sindhi languages, developed adult literacy and Bible curricula, co-authored the only English Language textbook for learning Sindhi, and published three other books, completing the most recent after her 90th birthday. She was a frequent speaker at church conferences and a great mentor and encourager of younger people considering ministry.

Polly was an example and encouragement to her seventeen grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, two siblings (Jean Cote and Bill Kolodinski), and one son (Stanley Brown). In addition to her many grandchildren, she leaves behind a sister (Charlotte Adkins), children Ed Brown (Susanna), Tom Brown (Terry), Marilyn Gardner (Cliff), Dan Brown (Carol), daughter in law Tami Brown, and many nieces and nephews.

We are especially thankful to her caregivers: Jomarcia Franck who has been a tireless caregiver and encourager, the kind and supportive staff at URMC Hospice, and the wonderful workers at Advent House. In lieu of flowers, donations should be directed to Advent House, 1010 Moseley Road in Fairport, New York.

Visiting hours will be held at Ridgeland Community Church, 260 Beckwith Rd, West Henrietta, New York, on Saturday November 18, 2023, at 10 am, followed by a memorial service at 11 am. A committal service will be held in Polly's hometown of Winchendon, Massachusetts, on Tuesday November 21 at 11 am at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, followed by a reception at Bethany Bible Chapel in Winchendon.