Nancy Lou (Kohls) Brown

Nancy was born on October 2, 1934, in Lucas, Ohio, where she learned a lot about farming while spending summers on her uncle’s ranch. After high school, she met the love of her life, Charles “Charlie” Brown, in Rochester, New York. They married when she was just 18 years old and began building a life centered on family, hard work, and adventure.

Together, they raised their four children while moving from New York to East Hartford, Connecticut. Nancy was Charlie’s steadfast partner through his years in Kirby vacuum sales and later in real estate land development, where she worked as his sales secretary. Her enthusiasm was contagious both in the office and at home. She encouraged her children to pursue excellence and firmly believed in education, insisting they all attend college—guidance that helped shape their successful paths.

Nancy’s love for the water began at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, one of their early land projects. Whether tending her rose gardens, enjoying her swimming pool during their years in Connecticut, or skiing behind one of their many boats, she found joy in both beauty and adventure.

When Charlie purchased a hotel and restaurant on the ocean in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1972, the family was moved to the Sunshine State for beach living. Nancy fully embraced their new venture. She was known for doing whatever was needed—folding towels, making beds, or helping in the kitchen—with energy and pride.

Later, she found her true passion in waterfront home design and renovation. With a vivid imagination and strong instincts, Nancy played a key role in transforming and building homes along the Intracoastal Waterway, leaving her personal mark on many properties.

Beyond her work, swimming, reading romance novels, and serving as “First Mate” as they restored yachts and traveled throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean. Lobster became her signature dish—served so often that her children would jokingly plead for something else.

Nancy found great joy in watching her children marry and in sharing her love of the water with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After the loss of her beloved Charlie at age 65, Nancy showed remarkable strength, persevering for the sake of her family. She later purchased a home on Lake Norman in North Carolina to be closer to them, where she continued her tradition of hosting family gatherings, often expecting a full house every weekend. Even later in life, she embraced change, moving to a home in a waterfront community that better suited her needs while still welcoming her ever-growing family.

A true fighter, Nancy, overcame breast cancer after the age of 80 as well as undergoing multiple joint replacements. Her doctor affectionately called her “a tough old broad,” a title she embraced with her signature wink and smirk.

She leaves behind a loving family who will deeply miss her many daily phone calls, including her three children: Patricia Vasko (Michael), Bonnie Brown, and Wendy Roy. She is also survived by: Eight grandchildren: Chloe Brown (Andrew Goodman), Caitlyn Brown, Michael Erin Vasko, Matthew Vasko, Heather Yenkala (Christopher Fletcher), Ellen Yenkala (Tyler Day), Faith Cinar and Rachael Roy. Six great-grandchildren: Colton Mearns, Maya Goodman, Cora Goodman, Willow Fletcher, Liam Fletcher and Sylas Cinar, her brother Tom Kohls (Carol), and sister Maryann Robbins (Paul).

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents Jeanette Rose Kern Kohls and Leon Wendolyn Kohls; her husband, Charles “Charlie” Brown; daughter, Barbara Lee Brown; son Charles “Chip” Brown, Jr.; her brother James Kohls; and sisters Suzanne Miller and Sally Shadler.

Nancy’s life was defined by love, resilience, and a deep devotion to her family. She will be missed beyond words and remembered always.

Their promise in life was to be joined in death and buried at sea - in the Atlantic Ocean where they shared so many happy memories. We are happy to grant her wish and know they're going to be dancing again soon.

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