Rose Ann Brownell

Rose Ann Fisher Brownell was born in Huntington, WV on 9/8/38 and lived there until she graduated from Marshall University in 1960 with a BA in Education. She taught or was the librarian in several Ohio, New York and Wisconsin high schools, receiving a MS in Library Science from Toledo University in 1969. She was a tax agent for the Ohio Tax Department before starting the Training Department of the agency. She retired in 2003 as Assistant Administrator, having developed numerous classes and teaching materials for tax agents, and was a founding member of the State of Ohio Training Association. She served on the Franklin County Selective Service Board for 25 years. Rose was an avid tennis player and she and her husband, Nelson could not be beat on the courts of Fayette County in the mid-70’s. There they had two sons, Jeff and Joel. After moving to Athens and getting into the motel business, Rose taught at Hocking Technical. They divorced and Rose moved to Westerville with the boys. Rose loved music and knew the words to most every song. What she didn’t know, she made up. She played the piano and after retirement learned to play the violin, just to see if she could do it. She then learned how to ring handbells and was a member of the Dings, a handbell choir that played for senior facilities sponsored by the Messiah Methodist Church, where she was an active member. She volunteered her services at Life Care Alliance, the Otterbein Women’s Thrift Shop, and other community opportunities. Always an avid sports fan, Rose followed the Washington Redskins, Marshall University, The Ohio State Women’s Basketball, WTA and the LPGA. Many trips were planned around football games, Solheim Cups, Big Ten Women’s Basketball and WTA tournaments. She was a Volksmarch enthusiast and completed many walks throughout Ohio. Rose started showing signs of dementia around 2014. She moved to the Grove in 2019. Rose is survived by her life partner of 34 years, Kathy Butler, son Joel Brownell , his wife Dr. Audrey Briscoe and their two daughters, Ivy Michelle and Stella Rose(Yorba Linda, CA). Proceeded in death by her parents, brother, and sister. Son Jeff Brownell was killed in 1999. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimers Association, the Capital City Hospice or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at a later time.