Bebe Brown passed away on February 15, 2025, in Ewing, New Jersey.
Bebe was born in Brighton Beach, New York, to Joseph and Dora Gershenzon. Her artistic talent was evident from childhood; she was on the Art Squad at Lincoln High School and then went to Cooper Union to study commercial art. Both were very competitive and prestigious.
After graduating from Cooper Union she worked as a commercial artist in New York City, at Condé Nast, Seventeen Magazine, and the advertising agency Sudler & Hennessey.
She married Bernard Brown in 1962 in New York City, then moved to Houston, Texas, where Bernard was a college professor. Family was everything to Bebe. She happily left her career to raise a family, with son David and daughter Amy both born in Houston. After a brief stop in the midwest the family ended up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, where Bebe continued being a full-time mom until both David and Amy had gone off to college. She then started working again part-time as a commercial artist, and then in retirement took up painting.
Being Jewish was very important to Bebe; she kept kosher and followed all the traditions. She was never taught the Halacha; she just did what her mother did. Bebe was a truly sweet and loving soul, always kind and optimistic and upbeat.
Bebe is predeceased by her brother, Murray Gershenzon Z”L, and parents Joseph and Dora Gershenzon Z”L. She is survived by her husband Bernard, son David and daughter Amy, and grandson Ignacio. She was so proud of David and Amy, and absolutely loved being a grandmother.
The family requests that those who wish to honor Bebe’s memory consider a contribution to The Cooper Union in memory of Bebe Brown, class of 1953.
Funeral services and burial were held February 18 at Fountain Lawn Memorial Park, Adath Israel Section, in Ewing, NJ.
Arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences: OrlandsMemorialChapel.com/Bebe-Brown