SALLY Died at home as the full moon rose on Thursday, April 5, 2012. Writer, teacher, friend and beloved family member. Born Sarah G. Warner on Sunday, December 21, 1919, she was the oldest of three children. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor's in Journalism. She married Robert A. Brown on August 26, 1941 and together they were the parents of six children, five of whom grew to adulthood. They lived in Missouri and Arkansas prior to moving to Santa Fe in 1949. In 1953, they moved to Albuquerque and joined La Mesa Presbyterian Church in 1954. As a mother, she was active in the education of her children taking pride as each earned a college degree. As a volunteer tutor, she touched the lives of many children. She and Bob opened their home to several Navajo children and she maintained her connection with Sarah Leon, her Navajo daughter. She received her Masters in Early Childhood Education at the age of 55. She took great joy in her years spent teaching at St. Mark's in the Valley. Following the death of her husband in 1983, she devoted a year compiling the letters they exchanged during World War II and sharing these cherished memories with her children. She traveled extensively, learning about and experiencing many diverse cultures. In 1998 she completed a history of her father, Seth LeMoyne Warner. In 2004, she published Agnes Brustad Warner Teacher, Wife, Mother Family History Memoir. She was an active member in a book club, enjoyed scrabble and working crossword puzzles and walked daily until the age of 92. In addition to her husband and infant son, Gregory Brown, she was preceded in death by her son, Scott J. Brown and his wife, Teri. She is survived by her daughters: Nikolyn McDonald and husband David; Kathleen Polage and husband Gary; Susan Haywood and husband Tom; and Mary Beth McGonagle and husband Ed. Ten grandchildren learned the love of books from her: Warner Myers, Robert McDonald, Chris Polage, Amy Polage, Sarah Haywood, Ryan Haywood, Shelby Brown, Jeremy Brown, Carrie M. Perry and Kathryn McKee. Four great- grandchildren joined her life late in the game and she treasured each one: Sabrina and Lauren Polage, Elliot Perry and Tessa Jean Myers. In addition, she is survived by her sister Elizabeth Ingell of Jackson, MI and brother Seth L. Warner of Durham, NC. Her nieces and nephews recall with affection her ability to send just the right book to their children over the years. She found exceptional joy in her church family. A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, April 28th, 10:30 a.m. at La Mesa Presbyterian Church, 7401 Copper N.E., Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87108. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to La Mesa.
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