Helen Romer Brown, born February 16, 1926, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, died June 21, 2021 at her home. Daughter of Fannie and Rubin Romer, she attended elementary, high school, and college in Kansas City, graduating at the top of her UMKC class, where she majored in languages.
As a very young girl, Helen managed the books at her parents’ butcher shop, Romer Kosher Meat Market. She met the love of her life Martin G. Brown, when her boyfriend at the time brought Marty into the butcher shop as his sidekick when he wanted to say “hello” to Helen. So much for that boyfriend — it was love at first sight for 16-year-old Helen and 18-year-old Marty. Ten dates over the course of the next four years of World War II, along with countless wartime letters, led to a 60 year marriage of love and devotion up until Marty’s death in 2008.
Committed to Marty and family, Helen was a loving mother to Sara Sher (Michael), Loren Brown, and Ronna Brown (Robert Jackson). She adored her grandchildren: Ben Sher (Heather), Rachel Sher, Rebecca Richman (Chad) , and Maia Brown-Jackson and her great-grandchildren: Leo Sher, Sadie Sher, Daniel Richman, Sid Richman, and Henry Richman. Helen’s bottom line — if you were her family, you were beautiful, brilliant, and funny.
Helen was a loving sister to her brother Marvin Romer (Sandy) and enjoyed her relationship with all her extended family, especially her niece (Kim Brown), nephews (Robert Romer, David Romer, and Bruce Brown) and their children. She relished staying close with her many cousins and loved attending the “cousins” dinners.” She maintained relationships with lifelong girlfriends, most of whom she met in elementary school, as well as her sister in law, Barbara Brown and her grandchildren.
Helen volunteered at her children’s schools and her synagogue. She prided herself on voting in every election, including 2020, staying informed by reading two newspapers daily. The library was a weekly excursion. A movie fiend, she enjoyed going to the movies until recently, and even in her last days was a committed viewer of Turner Classic Movies.
Helen’s intelligence, vibrant personality, sense of humor, and, especially, her laugh that could be heard and identified across a noisy room, will be sorely missed by all who loved her.
Funeral services were held June 24, 2021 at the Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO. Interment was at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Kehilath Israel Synagogue, Kansas City Hospice or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.louismemorialchapel.com. (Arr: The Louis Memorial Chapel 816-361-5211)
