Obituary of Alice Brown

Alice Brown departed peacefully on May 8th at the age of 94. She was born in 1918 to Hannah and Ben Bollerud in Everson, Washington.Alice spent her youth in pastoral Everson and then enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. She married William Brown in 1941 and had two children, William Jr. and Christopher. The family eventually moved to Portland where she spent most of her adult life working for the Portland Public School District.Alice’s enduring passion was jazz. She was a fixture in the Portland jazz scene well into her 80’s and known to some as the “grande dame” of Portland jazz. She keenly followed the great contemporary jazz musicians and knew many personally. Alice travelled throughout the United States and Canada to listen to jazz. At 93 she attended the Newport (Oregon) Jazz Festival and was looking forward to returning this year. Her hundreds of jazz records and CDs were her most prized possessions. If there is music in Alice’s hereafter it will be jazz.She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; and son, William. She is survived by son, Christopher; his partner, Stella Dean; and daughter in law, Marit Brown. A private family service will be held in Ferndale, Washington on May 15 th.The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Bayberry Commons and the Eugene Hotel for their kindness and patience. Additional thanks go to PeaceHealth Hospice for their care of Alice and guidance and support to the family.Arrangements by Musgrove Family Mortuary.