Chatham memorial planned for pioneering Sen. Leanna Brown

A memorial service will take place 11 a.m. on Jan. 7 at the Stanley Congregational Church in Chatham for former Sen. Leanna Brown.

Brown, 81, died peacefully at her son Steve's home on Dec. 15, according to an obituary provided by Morris County officials.

Her political career included serving as a Chatham councilwoman, a Morris County freeholder and as a member of the New Jersey State Assembly before she was elected to the state Senate in 1983.

“Leanna Brown broke the glass ceiling over 40 years ago," Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen wrote in tribute. "(She) was the driving force for decades in supporting and encouraging women to run for local, county, state and federal office, not only here in New Jersey, but nationwide. There will never be anyone like her, as my late father and I can attest, because she supported Republican candidates at all levels with boundless energy, a keen intellect, and a pride in a Republican Party that embraced a ‘big tent’ philosophy.

According to her obituary, Brown was born in Providence, R.I. to Esther and Harold Young. She attended the Northfield School for Girls and then Smith College. She married W. Stanley Brown, her high school sweetheart, in 1956.

In 1961 they moved to Chatham, where Brown launched her political career. She served on the Chatham Borough Council from 1969 to 1972 and then was elected to the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, becoming the director in 1976. In 1978 she was named president of the New Jersey Association of Counties.

After 13 years in the New Jersey Legislature, she was appointed to the New Jersey Casino Control Commission where she served for six years. She later worked on President George W. Bush’s transition team, and in 2007 was appointed by him to serve on the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.

Brown traveled extensively with her husband and their grandchildren and especially enjoyed her numerous trips to Africa. She also was an avid collector of native art and a dedicated member of her reading group that met regularly for 54 years.

Brown is predeceased by her husband, Stan, and is survived by her sister Lucinda (Thorpe), her children Bill (Kathy) and Steve (Cher), her grandchildren Rob, Tom, Joe, Maggie, Sid and Brit, and her great-granddaughter Andromeda.

“Even as her legacy lives on, Leanna will be deeply missed. I extend my sympathy to her family," Frelinghuysen said.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com.